Rental Scams in Colorado Springs
Everything you need to know about rental fraud in Colorado Springs — local rent data, pricing red flags, and the scam patterns unique to this market.
Colorado Springs Average Rent (2026)
| Unit Type | Avg Rent / Month |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,100 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,350 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,700 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,100 |
Source: FlagMyListing market data engine, updated February 2026.
Red-Flag Pricing
If you see a 1-bedroom in Colorado Springs listed under $944, be cautious.
That is roughly 70% of the local average for a 1-bedroom apartment. Listings priced significantly below the market average are one of the strongest indicators of a rental scam. Scammers use below-market pricing to attract as many victims as possible before the listing is taken down.
Common Scam Patterns in Colorado Springs
Fort Carson and Peterson SFB Military Scams
Colorado Springs has five military installations including Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base. Scammers heavily target military families with fake listings in Security-Widefield, Fountain, and Powers Corridor, demanding deposits before PCS arrival.
Air Force Academy Area Fraud
The US Air Force Academy attracts families and cadets needing nearby housing. Scammers create fake listings in Briargate and Northgate targeting military-connected renters with official-sounding listing descriptions.
Outdoor Recreation Relocation Targeting
Colorado Springs attracts outdoor enthusiasts who relocate for hiking, climbing, and skiing access. Scammers target these lifestyle-driven movers with fake listings in Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs.
Rapid Growth New-Build Impersonation
Colorado Springs is growing rapidly, especially in the northeast and east corridors. Scammers use builder photos to create fake rental listings for new homes in communities like Banning Lewis Ranch and Cordera.
Where to Report Rental Fraud in Colorado Springs
If a Colorado Springs rental turns out to be a scam, report it to the Colorado Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section through the Stop Fraud Colorado portal at stopfraudcolorado.gov, or by calling the consumer line at 1-800-222-4444. This office enforces state consumer-protection and landlord-tenant laws and logs complaints statewide; in 2024 Coloradans filed a record 24,473 complaints with the office.
For local police involvement, contact the Colorado Springs Police Department non-emergency line at 719-444-7000, which is staffed 24 hours a day. CSPD also accepts online reports for many non-emergency crimes, including internet-based fraud, at coloradosprings.gov; after filing you receive an automated email with a copy of your report and a temporary case number. If money crossed state lines or you wired a deposit to an out-of-state 'landlord,' also file with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Verifying a Landlord and Property Through El Paso County Records
Colorado Springs sits in El Paso County, and property ownership here is public record. Before sending any deposit, look up the address in the El Paso County Assessor's public property search at assessor.elpasoco.com. You can search by owner name, parcel number (Tax Schedule Number), or street address to see the recorded owner, assessed value, and sale history. If the name of the person you are dealing with does not match the recorded owner and they cannot explain the relationship, such as a named property-management company, treat that as a serious warning sign.
For deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents, use the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder; for tax status use the El Paso County Treasurer's property tax search. A common scam signature is a listing copied from a real for-sale or genuine rental property, so cross-checking the true owner against who is collecting your money is one of the fastest ways to expose a fraud before you pay.
Colorado Deposit and Application-Fee Rules That Protect Renters
Colorado law gives renters concrete leverage that scammers routinely violate. Under state security-deposit law (C.R.S. 38-12-103), a landlord must return your deposit within one month of lease termination, or up to 60 days if the lease specifies a longer period, and must provide a written itemized statement for any amount withheld. A landlord who misses that deadline forfeits the right to keep any of the deposit. Colorado also caps how large a security deposit can be: generally no more than one month's rent for an unfurnished unit, or up to 1.5 months' rent for a furnished one. A legitimate deposit on a one-bed near local averages should not run to thousands.
Colorado's Rental Application Fairness Act (C.R.S. 38-12-903, from HB19-1106) limits application fees to the landlord's actual cost of processing the application, requires the same fee for every applicant to the same unit, and obligates the landlord to disclose what the fee covers and refund any unused portion within about 20 days. A landlord who violates these rules can be liable for damages beyond the fee itself. Demands for large 'holding fees,' vague application charges, or a deposit far above one month's rent all conflict with Colorado law and are classic pressure tactics used by fraudulent listers.
How to Protect Yourself in Colorado Springs
- ✓Always visit the property in person before paying anything. If you are relocating to Colorado Springs, ask a friend or hire a local rental agent to view on your behalf.
- ✓Verify ownership through CO county property records. In Colorado Springs, you can search online through the county assessor's office.
- ✓Never wire money or pay with gift cards. Use traceable payment methods like checks or credit cards.
- ✓Compare prices against the rent averages above. If a listing is more than 30% below average, treat it as suspicious until verified.
- ✓Run the listing through our free checker to scan for 40+ scam patterns before you engage with the landlord.
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