Perfect Colorado Cities for Buying a Vacation Home

The best places to buy a vacation home in Colorado depend on how you plan to use it. Front Range cities such as Lakewood, Parker, Colorado Springs, Greenwood Village, Boulder, Arvada and Denver work well as a second home near family, work or the airport, while mountain towns such as Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs are the classic ski-and-hike getaways. Before you buy, check the local short-term rental rules, because several of these cities only allow nightly rentals in the owner’s primary residence. If you later decide to move into your Colorado home full time, Spyder Moving and Storage, with offices in Denver and Colorado Springs, can handle the move with its own crews and trucks.

What are the best places to buy a vacation home in Colorado?

These seven cities each have their own draw, from mountain views and trail systems to restaurants, culture and pro sports. The table compares them side by side, including the short-term rental (STR) rule each city publishes, which matters if you hope to rent the home when you are not using it. Population figures are U.S. Census Bureau estimates for July 1, 2025, and the rental rules were checked on each city’s official website in October 2026. If you decide to settle in any of these places for good, our Colorado movers work across the Front Range.

Lakewood

Lakewood is a strong choice for buyers who want a second home close to Denver and the foothills. With nearly 157,000 residents, it is one of the largest cities in Colorado, yet many neighborhoods have a quiet suburban feel. It is a great base for outdoor trips: the city’s Bear Creek Lake Park offers trails, boating, fishing and picnic areas with mountain views, and the foothills west of town are only minutes away. If you are thinking about living here full time instead, see how Lakewood compares with Colorado Springs for everyday life.

Culture lovers can use the Lakewood Cultural Center and the city’s arts programs, and the city offers many housing options, from single-family homes to townhouses and condominiums. Keep the rental rules in mind, though. Lakewood’s short-term rental license requires proof that each owner lives at the property, plus a notarized affidavit of ownership and primary residence, and the city notes that FHA loan rules do not permit rentals of less than 30 days. A Lakewood second home is therefore best for your own use or a longer-term lease. If you decide to live here, Spyder’s Lakewood movers are at your service.

Parker

Parker is a town of about 66,000 people in Douglas County that attracts buyers who want space, mountain views and a small-town atmosphere close to the Denver Tech Center. It is known as a family-friendly community with newer, planned neighborhoods, a walkable Mainstreet and schools in the Douglas County School District. The Cherry Creek Trail runs through town, and there are larger lots on the edges of Parker for buyers who want more room around the house.

For outdoor recreation, Parker’s proximity to Cherry Creek State Park is a major draw. The park is run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and includes a large reservoir for boating and fishing, a swim beach, trails and campgrounds. Note that Parker is not a place to buy a nightly rental: the Town of Parker states that short-term rentals (which it calls “tourist homes”) are a prohibited use in any dwelling unit in town. A Parker home works best as a second home for your own family. When you are ready to move in, Parker movers can help.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is the state’s second-largest city, with nearly 495,000 residents, and it offers mountain views and outdoor recreation at prices that are usually lower than in Denver. Pikes Peak rises right above the city, and Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon Open Space and Palmer Park offer hiking, climbing and mountain biking within city limits. Before buying in the mountains or foothills around the city, it is a good idea to weigh the pros and cons of living in the mountains, including winter access and wildfire risk, and decide whether it is the right choice for you.

If you are moving here with the help of the Colorado Springs movers at Spyder’s office on E Platte Ave, you will find that this city also has a rich history and cultural scene, with museums, galleries and theaters downtown. Housing ranges from cabins in the foothills to newer homes on the north and east sides. If you hope to rent the property, Colorado Springs requires a short-term rental permit. Owner-occupied permits need the owner to live there at least 185 days a year, and new non-owner-occupied permits are not allowed in single-family zones and must be 500 feet from another one in other zones.

Greenwood Village

Greenwood Village is a city of about 15,000 people known for upscale neighborhoods, large lots and its location next to the Denver Tech Center. It offers a range of high-end housing, from spacious estates to modern luxury homes, and golfers have several courses and country clubs within a short drive in the south metro area. It is a practical second home for people who travel to Denver for business, since offices, light rail and I-25 are close by.

Nature lovers will appreciate the city’s proximity to Cherry Creek State Park, with its reservoir and trail system, and the city has an extensive network of local trails and parks of its own. If rental income is part of your plan, Greenwood Village is a poor fit: the city’s FAQ says short-term rental of non-principal residences is prohibited. Greenwood Village also has convenient access to the restaurants and entertainment of Denver and nearby suburbs. Finally, Greenwood Village movers can provide all the moving services you may need.

Boulder

This city’s location against the Flatirons gives it one of the most recognizable views in Colorado. The proximity to the mountains allows easy access to hiking trails, rock climbing and open space, making it a favorite for people who love nature. Boulder also has a lively arts and music scene, and the Boulder Creek Path runs right through town.

The city and its surroundings offer plenty of options for biking, climbing and skiing, and Rocky Mountain National Park is reachable via Lyons and Estes Park. The University of Colorado Boulder gives the city a college-town atmosphere, with lively dining and cultural events. For a vacation home, though, Boulder has firm rules: a short-term rental must be the owner’s principal residence, and owners must certify that every year. If you decide you love this place too much and wish to relocate here, hire Spyder’s Boulder movers and start your journey on the right foot.

Arvada

Arvada’s historic downtown, Olde Town Arvada, is filled with shops, cafes and restaurants, and it sits next to a G Line commuter rail station with direct service to Denver Union Station. A major advantage of owning a second home in Arvada is its proximity to Denver and the mountains along I-70.

The city takes pride in its parks, trails and open spaces. According to the City of Arvada, its trail network covers about 150 miles, including the Ralston Creek Trail. If you plan to rent the home, Arvada requires both a city short-term rental permit and a business license, so review the city’s current program rules first. Finally, if you are moving here with the help of Arvada movers, you will find a wide choice of housing, from older single-family homes to modern townhouses and condominiums.

Denver

From the busy downtown area to historic districts and quiet residential neighborhoods, Denver offers a range of neighborhoods to suit different lifestyles. As the state’s largest city, with about 741,000 residents, it has a strong restaurant scene, the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and the downtown 16th Street corridor, and direct access to Denver International Airport, which makes it easy for out-of-state owners to come and go. Once the boxes are unpacked, these places to unwind in Denver make the first weeks in a new home easier.

Sports fans can follow the Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche and Rockies, and the city hosts festivals and exhibitions throughout the year. A downtown condo gives you the urban experience, while homes in quieter neighborhoods sit closer to parks. Denver’s short-term rental license, however, is limited to the host’s primary residence, so a Denver second home cannot legally be run as a nightly rental. If you are moving to the city, Spyder’s Denver movers work out of the office at 4777 Leyden St.

Which Colorado mountain towns are popular for vacation homes?

If you want a true mountain getaway with year-round recreation, most buyers look at ski towns rather than Front Range cities. Two well-known examples:

• Breckenridge (Summit County, about 5,000 residents): skiing in winter, hiking and biking in summer, and a historic Main Street. The town caps short-term rental licenses by zone, some zones have no licenses available, and licenses do not transfer to a new owner when a property is sold.
• Steamboat Springs (Routt County, about 13,600 residents): skiing, hot springs and summer river and trail recreation. The city’s short-term rental overlay has three zones: no license cap in Zone A, capped licenses in Zone B and no new standard short-term rentals in Zone C.

Mountain homes also come with practical challenges, such as snow, steep driveways and limited parking, which make moving furniture in harder than in the suburbs. Compare the trade-offs in our guide to mountain vs urban living in Colorado, and see which natural attractions in Colorado are closest to the town you like.

What should you check before buying a second home in Colorado?

When choosing among these cities, location, lifestyle and outdoor access are only part of the decision. Before you make an offer, run through this checklist:

1. Short-term rental rules: confirm the city’s or town’s current rules for the exact address, and read the HOA covenants, which can be stricter than city law.
2. Taxes on rentals: the Colorado Department of Revenue treats rentals of rooms and accommodations for less than 30 days as subject to sales tax, and county or local lodging taxes may also apply.
3. Property taxes: rates depend on the county and local taxing districts, and Colorado’s assessment rules have changed several times in recent years. The Colorado Division of Property Taxation explains how assessment works, and your county assessor lists the levy for a specific parcel.
4. Financing: ask your lender whether the loan allows rentals, since some loan types restrict rentals of less than 30 days.
5. Insurance and access: check wildfire risk, snow removal and winter road access for foothill and mountain properties.
6. Furnishing and moving: plan how furniture will get there and whether you need storage services between closing and move-in.

For park details near Parker and Greenwood Village, see Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Cherry Creek State Park page.

Turning a Colorado vacation home into a permanent move

Many people who buy a second home in Colorado eventually make it their main residence, and some bring their business with them. If you are relocating an office, commercial movers can move furniture, equipment and files on a schedule that limits downtime. Colorado’s quality of life and outdoor access are a real draw for employees, and Denver International Airport gives businesses direct flights to both coasts.

Whether you choose a Front Range city for convenience or a mountain town for recreation, the right vacation home in Colorado is the one whose rules, costs and location match how you will actually use it. When it is time to move furniture in or relocate for good, Spyder Moving and Storage can help from its Denver office (720-545-3187) and Colorado Springs office (719-370-4250). Request a free estimate to start planning.