It may seem early, but now is the time to start thinking about where you’d like to live next year. Students have a wide range of options for living in the Boulder community, including residence halls, apartment style living and off-campus residences. Explore more information to help you make the best decision to fit your needs.
Learn more about how to apply for campus housing.
Off-campus housing
CU Boulder has more than 22,000 students who live off campus throughout the Boulder community. Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations can help you find your future home. Here are a few tips and resources to help as you begin your search.
Do your research
Research different neighborhoods and housing options in the community.
To do:
- Create a budget that includes what you can afford for rent, utilities, internet and other expenses.
- Look at public transportation options.
- Check out the crime rates.
- Ask other students about their experiences living in their neighborhoods.
Browse Ralphie’s List
Ralphie’s List is CU’s official rental database.
To do:
- Search for available student apartments, townhomes, condos and houses in the Boulder area.
- Filter by neighborhood, price, number of bedrooms and other categories.
- Use Ralphie’s List to find roommates.
Consider occupancy limits
Before you make agreements with roommates for next year, consider occupancy limit rules.
Things to know:
- Review the city of Boulder's occupancy limits.
- Depending on the zoning district, a maximum of three or four unrelated individuals can live together.
- Both tenants and property owners can be subject to violations of over-occupancy and receive up to a $2,000 fine per day.
Take an orientation
Take the Off-Campus Living Orientation.
Things to know:
- The orientation helps students prepare for life off campus, learn about city ordinances and find ways to get involved in the Boulder community.
- The online course takes about 15–20 minutes to complete.
Get legal advice
A lease is a legal contract you should understand before signing.
- Get legal advice from Student Legal Services (SLS) or Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations on rental concerns, from lease agreements to landlord disputes.
- SLS provides free legal consultations on tenant/landlord matters, including questions about leases.
- Students can schedule an appointment with attorney Bruce Sarbaugh through Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations to get a free lease review before signing.
Attend the housing fair
Learn more about the options for off-campus living.
- Attend the Off-Campus Housing Fair on Feb. 8 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom.
- Enjoy free lunch.
- Meet with off-campus property managers, city offices and vendors.
- Explore more resources related to off-campus housing.
Learn more about off-campus living.