What does it cost to move in?
Every upfront cost of a Colorado Springs apartment move, itemized — application fees, deposits, pets, parking, movers, utilities — with a calculator pre-filled with Avian's published fees.
The seven upfront costs, itemized.
Most renters budget for the first month's rent and forget the rest. Here is the full list, with Colorado norms and Avian's actual published charges side by side.
- Application fee and holding deposit
- Colorado limits application fees to the landlord's actual screening cost — typically $25 to $75 — and waives the fee entirely if you bring a portable tenant screening report. Avian charges a $29 application fee and a $200 one-time holding deposit.
- Administration fee
- A one-time charge for lease preparation, typically $50 to $300 at professionally managed Colorado communities. Avian's published administration fee is $250.
- Security deposit
- Usually one month's rent, and Colorado law caps it at two. Avian's deposit runs $500 to $2,250 depending on screening. Every deposit in Colorado is refundable — including pet deposits.
- First month's rent
- The largest line on the ledger, due before keys change hands. If you move mid-month, most communities prorate it.
- Pet costs
- Colorado caps pet deposits at $300 refundable and pet rent at the greater of $35 a month or 1.5% of rent. Avian charges exactly that: a $300 deposit and $35 monthly pet rent.
- Parking
- Downtown buildings typically bill garage parking monthly rather than bundling it into rent. Avian's garage is $125 a month.
- Movers
- A two-mover crew and truck runs $100 to $150 per hour for a two-mover crew and truck in Colorado Springs. A local one-bedroom move typically lands between $600 and $800.
Run your numbers.
Pre-filled with Avian's published fee schedule and Colorado Springs market ranges for movers, insurance, and internet. Adjust anything — the totals update as you go.
- Low end
- $3,187
- Likely total
- $3,220
- High end
- $5,267
- Application feeWaived if you bring a portable tenant screening report (CRS 38-12-904).
- $29
- Holding depositOne-time, due with the application.
- $200
- Administration fee
- $250
- Security depositScreening-based. Colorado caps deposits at two months' rent (CRS 38-12-102.5).
- $500 – $2,250
- First month's rent
- $1,535
- Local moversColorado Springs local-move estimates; $100 to $150 per hour for a two-mover crew and truck.
- $600 – $800
- Utility account setupColorado Springs Utilities generally requires no deposit for new residential accounts.
- $18
- Renter's insurance, first month
- $15 – $25
- Internet setup + first monthSelf-install is free with most providers; professional install runs up to $100.
- $40 – $160
Estimates only. One-time fees are Avian's published figures; movers, insurance, and internet are Colorado Springs market ranges. Actual amounts are confirmed in writing at application — this is not a quote or a lease offer.
A worked example.
A renter with a cat moving into the Amy — currently the lowest-priced available plan at $1,535 a month — hiring movers, and setting up insurance and internet.
- Application fee
- $29
- Holding deposit
- $200
- Administration fee
- $250
- Security deposit
- $500 – $2,250
- First month's rent
- $1,535
- Pet deposit + first month of pet rent
- $335
- Local movers
- $600 – $800
- Utility account setup
- $18
- Renter's insurance, first month
- $15 – $25
- Internet setup + first month
- $40 – $160
- Low end
- $3,522
- Likely total
- $3,555
- High end
- $5,602
What Colorado law says about these costs.
Colorado is one of the more regulated rental markets in the country. These are the statutes that govern every line above.
- Deposits are capped at two months' rent
- CRS 38-12-102.5 (SB23-184, effective August 2023). Read the statute
- Deposits come back within 30 days
- CRS 38-12-103, updated by HB25-1249 effective January 1, 2026: 30 days standard, 60 if the lease says so, with itemized deductions and walk-through and documentation rights. Read HB25-1249
- Application fees must track actual cost
- CRS 38-12-903 and 38-12-904: fees cover real screening costs only, and a portable tenant screening report waives the fee entirely. Read the statute
- Pet deposits and pet rent are capped
- HB23-1068, effective January 2024: pet deposits max $300 refundable; pet rent max the greater of $35 a month or 1.5% of rent. Read HB23-1068
- Utility deposits are rare in Colorado Springs
- Colorado Springs Utilities generally requires no deposit and no start-up fee for new residential accounts with no prior unpaid balance. Read CSU's policy