Denver guide

How does renting an apartment in Denver work?

By /

This article is part of our Moving to Denver guide.

Last updated October 19, 2026

Renting an apartment in Denver works like most big cities: you apply online, pass a background and income check, sign a lease, pay a deposit, and set up utilities, but Colorado law gives renters more protection than many states. The typical Denver rent is $1,613 a month, according to Apartment List’s October 2026 report, down 3.1% from a year earlier. Deposits are capped at two months’ rent. Landlords can’t ask you to earn more than twice the rent, and most must take a portable screening report instead of charging an application fee. With a lot of new buildings still filling up, many complexes are offering free weeks of rent.

Median rent$1,613Apartment List, Oct 2026
1-bedroom median$1,427Apartment List, Oct 2026
Deposit cap2 monthsColorado law since 2023
Renters insurance~$14/moColorado average, NerdWallet, Sept 2026

How much does an apartment in Denver cost?

Apartment List puts Denver’s October 2026 median at $1,613 overall, $1,427 for a one-bedroom and $1,778 for a two-bedroom. Other trackers show higher numbers because they measure different things. RentCafe looks mostly at large, professionally managed buildings. Apartments.com averages its own listings.

Source (date)All unitsStudio1-bedroom2-bedroom
Apartment List median (Oct 2026)$1,613n/a$1,427$1,778
RentCafe average (Sept 30, 2026)$1,922$1,433$1,725$2,239
Apartments.com average (Oct 2026)$1,620$1,375$1,620$2,148

The trackers also disagree on direction. Apartment List shows rents down 3.1% over the year, while Apartments.com shows a 1.1% rise. For a full monthly budget beyond rent, see how much it costs to live in Denver.

Are there move-in deals in Denver right now?

Yes. Metro Denver built a lot of apartments in the last few years, and landlords are still competing to fill them. The Apartment Association of Metro Denver’s second-quarter 2026 report found a 6.3% stabilized vacancy rate across the metro and 7.0% in Denver County, the highest of the six counties it tracks. About 3,257 new units opened in that quarter alone, and nearly 13,000 over the prior 12 months.

The same report put the average concession at $175 a month, or 9.7% of rent. Axios Denver described that as roughly four to five free weeks over a year. Axios also reported in July 2026 that proposed projects have dropped sharply, and analysts expect the discounts could fade as early as 2027. If you’re moving soon, ask every building what it’s offering and whether the deal is a lump of free rent or a lower monthly price. A lower monthly price helps more at renewal.

What do you need for a Denver apartment application?

Expect to show a photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, an offer letter or bank statements), and your rental history. Colorado law limits what landlords can ask for:

  • Income rule, a landlord can’t require income above 200% of the annual rent. If you have a housing voucher, the test only applies to your share of the rent, and the landlord generally can’t look at your credit score (C.R.S. 38-12-904, from SB23-184).
  • Lookback limits, landlords can consider only the last seven years of rental and credit history, and can’t use arrest records or most convictions older than five years.
  • Application fees, any fee must cover only the real cost of processing, must be the same for everyone applying for that unit, and must come with a receipt. Unused money must be refunded (C.R.S. 38-12-903).
  • Portable screening reports, under HB23-1099, you can buy a screening report from a consumer reporting agency and share it with landlords. Most landlords must accept one done in the last 30 days, and if you use it, they can’t charge you an application fee. The exception is a landlord who takes only one application fee at a time and refunds it within 20 days if they turn you down.
  • Denials, if you’re turned down, the landlord must tell you why in writing within 20 days.

Colorado’s price transparency law (HB25-1090, in effect since January 1, 2026) also means advertised rent should show the total price, including required monthly fees. Ask for a written list of every fee before you apply.

How do security deposits work in Colorado?

Since 2023 (SB23-184), a Colorado landlord can’t require a security deposit larger than two months’ rent. A pet deposit on top of that is limited to $300 and must be refundable, according to the state’s Office of Legislative Legal Services.

After you move out, the landlord has 30 days to return your deposit, or longer if the lease says so, but never more than 60 days. Any money kept must be explained in a written, itemized statement. Normal wear and tear can’t be deducted. Changes that took effect January 1, 2026 (HB25-1249) let either side ask for a move-out walk-through, and a landlord who misses the deadline or skips the statement loses the right to keep any of it. If a landlord holds your deposit in bad faith, you can sue for three times the amount after giving seven days’ written notice.

What renter protections does Colorado have?

  • For-cause eviction, under HB24-1098, signed April 19, 2024, most landlords need a legal reason to end your tenancy, such as unpaid rent, a serious lease violation or damage. A few “no-fault” reasons are allowed, like demolition, major renovation, or the owner or a family member moving in, with conditions.
  • Warranty of habitability, the landlord must keep your unit livable. Conditions that threaten health or safety must be addressed within 24 hours of notice, and others within 72 hours. For serious problems, you can ask for a comparable unit or hotel room at no cost. Landlords can’t retaliate against you for reporting problems.
  • Denver rental license, Denver requires a license for any home rented for 30 days or more. Multi-unit buildings had to be licensed by January 1, 2023, and single-unit rentals by January 1, 2024. Licensing requires passing an inspection that checks basics like heat, running water, mold and pests. Ask the landlord for their license number.

How do utilities and renters insurance work?

In Denver, Xcel Energy supplies both electricity and natural gas. Start service in your name for your move-in date. Xcel’s bills went up after the Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved an electric rate increase on August 19, 2026. Denver7 reported it adds about $5 a month for a typical home, starting August 29. Denver Water handles water. Its 2026 rates add about $2.45 to $3.30 a month to a typical home bill, Denverite reported. In most apartment buildings, though, water is billed through the landlord. Internet is up to you. Ask which providers serve the building before you sign.

Many large complexes use a ratio utility billing system (RUBS), which splits the building’s water, sewer or trash bill among units by size or number of people, not by what you actually use. After Colorado’s fee law took effect, some Denver renters saw big jumps in their utility charges, Denver7 reported in April 2026. A follow-up law, HB26-1013, signed March 26, 2026, allows RUBS only if the landlord charges tenants no more than the utility’s actual bill in total, adds no markup, leaves out common-area costs, and explains the method in the lease. Ask for the last few months of utility charges for the unit before you sign.

Most managed buildings require renters insurance. NerdWallet’s September 2026 estimate puts the Colorado average at about $170 a year, or $14 a month, for $30,000 in belongings coverage and $100,000 in liability coverage.

How do you compare specific Denver apartment buildings?

Once you know your budget and the neighborhoods you like, narrow the list down to actual buildings. Our sister site, DenverApartmentBuildings.com, is a free directory of 194 apartment buildings in the City and County of Denver. Each listing shows the number of units, year built, floors, amenities and pet policy. It has no paid listings and doesn’t show rents, so check prices with the building directly. Browse the full A-Z list of buildings or use the building map to see what’s near your job or a light rail stop. Our guide to the best Denver neighborhoods for newcomers can help you pick an area first.

How do you avoid rental scams in Denver?

Fake listings are common, especially for houses and condos rented by individual owners. The Colorado Division of Real Estate lists these warning signs:

  • No in-person meeting, the “landlord” won’t show you the place or meet you.
  • Money first, they want a deposit or rent before you see the unit or sign a lease.
  • Pressure, they push you to commit right away, or skip screening you at all.
  • Too cheap, the price is far below similar places nearby.

Check the owner’s name on the Denver assessor’s property records, verify any broker’s license with the Division of Real Estate, and never wire money or pay with gift cards. For more on getting settled after you sign, see our first 30 days in Denver guide and the moving to Denver hub.

What else should you plan for before moving to Denver?

Our Moving Guides cover the parts of a move that work the same way in every big city:

Frequently asked questions about renting in Denver

How much income do you need to rent in Denver?

Colorado landlords can’t require more than twice the annual rent in income. For a $1,613 apartment, that works out to about $38,700 a year.

How much is a security deposit in Denver?

It varies by building, but Colorado law caps it at two months’ rent. A pet deposit can add up to $300, and it must be refundable.

Can a Denver landlord charge an application fee?

Yes, but only for the real cost of processing, and you must get a receipt. If you provide a portable screening report from the last 30 days, most landlords can’t charge you any fee.

Is it a good time to rent in Denver?

For renters, 2026 has been a good year: rents are flat to slightly down and concessions average close to 10% of rent. Analysts expect deals to shrink as construction slows, possibly by 2027.

Sources

Go Big City Team
Author: Go Big City Team

More Denver questions

Back to the Denver guide →
Cost of livingHow much does it cost to live in Denver?A single adult needs about $55,384 a year to cover basics in Denver, per MIT. Here is what rent, taxes, utilities, a car, transit and food cost in 2026.Updated Oct 23, 2026Moving logisticsHow do you move to Denver? A step-by-step checklistA week-by-week Denver moving checklist covering budget, neighborhoods, apartments, Xcel and Denver Water setup, winter driving, altitude, and the 30-day license and 90-day registration deadlines after you arrive.Updated Oct 22, 2026Getting aroundHow does public transit work in Denver?How Denver's RTD buses, light rail and airport train work in 2026, including fares and fare capping, free youth rides, the downtown track rebuild, Colfax bus lanes and e-bike rebates.Updated Oct 21, 2026NeighborhoodsWhat are the best Denver neighborhoods for newcomers?Ten Denver neighborhoods newcomers choose, plus Aurora, Lakewood and Englewood for value, with who each suits, housing types, transit access and dated 2026 rent figures from RentCafe and Apartment List.Updated Oct 21, 2026

Next step: see the full Moving to Denver guide for rent, costs, transit, weather, jobs and neighborhoods in one place.

Scroll to Top