Relocating to Colorado
for Work
Everything you need to know about making a work-driven Colorado move: top industries, the right neighborhood for your commute, renting vs. buying, and how to maximize your relocation package.
Why Professionals Are Relocating to Colorado
Colorado's economy is one of the most deliberately diversified in the United States — a structural choice that has made it exceptionally resilient through economic cycles and exceptionally attractive to employers and employees alike. The state's major industries don't rise and fall together: when energy softens, aerospace and tech hold. When tech contracts, healthcare and defense absorb. This diversification creates a career environment that's both opportunistic and stable in a way that single-industry cities simply can't match.
But the work story is only half of what drives Colorado's professional migration. The other half is what you get beyond the office: 300+ days of sunshine, ski resorts 60–90 minutes from most employment corridors, a genuinely vibrant city culture in Denver and Boulder, and a cost structure — particularly the ~0.5% property tax rate — that produces long-term financial outcomes that few comparable metros can match.
The result is that Colorado draws the kind of high-performing professionals who have choices about where they live and work — and they choose here. For employers, that creates a talent pool that rewards the state's employers. For workers, it creates colleagues and a professional culture that consistently rate among the best in the country.
Colorado's Top Industries for Relocating Professionals
Where the jobs are — and where to live if that's your field.
Aerospace & Defense
$95K–$180K+ for engineersColorado is the #2 aerospace state in the US by employment. Jefferson County has the highest concentration — Littleton, Lakewood, and the Southwest corridor are prime commute zones for Lockheed and Raytheon employees.
Jefferson County (Littleton, Lakewood), Douglas County (Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree)
Technology
$110K–$220K+ for engineersDenver's tech sector spans two major corridors: downtown Denver's startup and enterprise ecosystem, and the DTC's established corporate campuses. Boulder is home to one of the strongest tech/biotech concentrations in the Mountain West.
Downtown Denver, Denver Tech Center (DTC), Boulder/Louisville Corridor
Healthcare & Life Sciences
$80K–$350K+ depending on specialtyThe Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora is one of the largest academic medical centers in the US, anchoring a massive healthcare employment cluster on the east side of Denver. Highlands Ranch and Parker are strong residential choices for Anschutz commuters.
Aurora (Anschutz Medical Campus), Denver proper, Highlands Ranch
Financial Services
$85K–$200K+Denver's financial sector is anchored by the DTC corridor — Charles Schwab relocated significant operations here, and Fidelity and TIAA have large presences. The southwest Denver suburbs are the natural residential choice for this employment cluster.
Denver Tech Center, Downtown Denver, Englewood
Energy (Traditional + Renewable)
$90K–$200K+Colorado is simultaneously a major traditional energy state and a fast-growing renewable energy hub. Downtown Denver and the DTC are home to major oil & gas corporate offices; Boulder anchors the renewable energy startup and R&D ecosystem.
Downtown Denver, DTC, Boulder (renewables)
Best Areas to Live by Commute Destination
Where to focus your home search based on where you'll be working.
Denver Tech Center (DTC)
Amazon, Fidelity, TIAA, Western Union, Deloitte, KPMG, numerous mid-market companies
The DTC is its own employment city — most residents in this corridor work within 2 miles of their home. Greenwood Village is the prestige address; Centennial and Lone Tree offer great value with equal proximity.
Boulder Tech & Biotech Corridor
Google, Oracle, Palantir, IBM, Medtronic, Noodles & Company (HQ)
Boulder proper is the most coveted address — and the most expensive. Louisville and Lafayette deliver Boulder commutes at meaningfully lower prices with access to the same excellent Boulder Valley School District.
Downtown Denver
Salesforce, Gusto, DoorDash, Ibotta, law firms, banks, government agencies
RTD light rail is a genuine option for downtown commuters. Cherry Creek and Wash Park are the premium residential addresses; Littleton's C-Line gives suburban buyers car-free commute access to Union Station.
Aerospace / Defense (SW Corridor)
Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Ball Aerospace, Northrop Grumman
Jefferson County's SW corridor is the aerospace heartland. Littleton and Lakewood are the most practical; Golden adds mountain lifestyle appeal. Highlands Ranch captures I-470 access to multiple defense campuses simultaneously.
Anschutz Medical Campus (Aurora)
UCHealth, Children's Hospital Colorado, CU Anschutz, VA Medical Center
Aurora and Central Park (Stapleton redevelopment) offer the shortest commutes. Parker provides the Douglas County school district advantage with reasonable access via E-470.
Fountain / Fort Carson / Pikes Peak Defense Corridor
Fort Carson, Schriever & Peterson Space Force Bases, Cheyenne Mountain, defense contractors
Fountain sits directly against Fort Carson — the largest single-site employer in the state of Colorado, per the City of Fountain's own economic development office. Fountain, Widefield, and Security deliver the shortest commutes at prices well below the Denver metro; Monument trades a longer drive for top-rated schools.
Relocating for a Job in Fountain or the Pikes Peak Region
Employer-driven relocation isn't limited to the Denver metro. One of the most active corridors in the state runs through El Paso County, where the City of Fountain sits directly against Fort Carson — the largest single-site employer in Colorado, sustaining roughly 13,800+ soldiers with new personnel cycling through continuously. Schriever and Peterson Space Force Bases and Cheyenne Mountain round out a defense and space corridor that brings thousands of new households to the region every year — both military PCS moves and civilian defense-sector hires.
For buyers, this matters because Fountain is one of the few growth cities in the Front Range where prices still start in the mid-$300Ks — while offering 15–20 minute commutes to base gates and 15 minutes to downtown Colorado Springs. Fountain, Widefield, and Security are the practical first searches; Monument and Briargate trade a longer commute for top-rated academy-district schools.
If you're relocating to the region for a position at Fort Carson, a Space Force installation, or a defense contractor, the buying strategy is the same as any corporate move: get pre-approved before you arrive, define your commute tolerance honestly, and work with an agent who knows which subdivisions hold value. Eric works the full Front Range through Kentwood's relocation division — .
Know where you're working. Not sure where to live?
Eric can map your ideal neighborhoods around your specific office location, commute tolerance, schools, and budget — in one conversation.
Renting First vs. Buying on Arrival
This is one of the most common questions in corporate relocation — and the honest answer is: it depends on how much lead time you have and how certain you are about your long-term situation. Both paths work. Both have real costs and benefits.
Case for Buying on Arrival
- Colorado's market rewards early entry — waiting costs appreciation
- Mortgage payments are often comparable to or lower than rental rates on equivalent homes
- You immediately begin building equity and capturing Colorado's ~0.5% tax advantage
- Corporate relocation packages often include closing cost assistance — use it
- Eric's remote buying process lets you purchase confidently before you arrive
Case for Renting First
- If you have less than 60 days to close, a rental bridges the timeline gap
- Renting in your target neighborhood first lets you verify commute, schools, and community fit
- If role is new or company is early-stage, protecting capital while settling in is prudent
- Seasonal inventory — spring market has more choices; renting through winter gives you access
- Short-term furnished rentals in Cherry Creek, Highlands Ranch, and Boulder are widely available
"The buyers who regret renting first are almost always the ones who rented for 12+ months before buying — and watched prices appreciate significantly during that time. The buyers who are glad they rented are the ones who discovered they wanted a completely different neighborhood than their original plan. Both outcomes are real. The question is how certain you are about what you want."
— Eric Fitch, Kentwood Real Estate
Understanding Your Relocation Package
Corporate relocation packages vary enormously — from a simple moving allowance to comprehensive programs managed by relocation management companies (RMCs) like Cartus, SIRVA, Brookfield GRS, and Crown Relocations. Understanding what's in your package — and what to ask for if you're negotiating — can mean tens of thousands of dollars in financial benefit.
Moving Cost Reimbursement
Most packages cover moving expenses — either via direct billing or reimbursement. Understand the cap, whether it covers packing services, and whether vehicle transport is included.
Temporary Housing Allowance
Many packages include 30–90 days of temporary housing. Use this to rent in your target neighborhood before committing to a purchase, or negotiate to apply it toward your down payment closing costs.
Closing Cost Assistance
More common in comprehensive relocation programs — often $3,000–$10,000 toward buyer's closing costs. Ask explicitly if this is available; it's frequently offered but not always disclosed upfront.
Homefinding Trip
Many employers provide 2–3 day homefinding trips — flights, hotel, and a dedicated real estate advisor. Eric Fitch works within RMC-managed homefinding programs and can be specifically requested for Colorado searches.
Loss-on-Sale Protection
For buyers who own a home in their origin city, some packages include equity protection programs that cover a percentage of any loss on the sale. Understand the terms and timeline requirements carefully.
Tax Gross-Up
Relocation benefits are often taxable income. Strong packages include a 'gross-up' — additional payment to cover the tax liability on your relocation benefits. If yours doesn't include this, it's a legitimate negotiating point.
Eric's referral network: Through Kentwood's relocation division, Eric works directly with HR departments, RMCs, and their employee clients across the country. If you're being relocated to Colorado by your employer and want to request Eric specifically, your HR contact can connect directly with the Kentwood Relocation team — or contact Eric directly to initiate the process.
Continue Your Colorado Research
Relocating to Colorado for Work — FAQs
Relocating to Colorado for work? Let's get you placed right.
Free consultation with Eric Fitch — Colorado's corporate relocation specialist. We'll match your employer location to the right community, schools, and price range.