Travel Nurse Housing in Denver, Colorado: Complete Guide

Denver is the Mile High City, situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains with over 300 days of sunshine per year. For travel nurses, Denver combines a strong healthcare market with an unbeatable outdoor lifestyle, a vibrant urban core, and a growing population that keeps hospital systems staffing up year-round.

Denver’s healthcare landscape includes several major systems: UCHealth, SCL Health (now Intermountain Health), Denver Health, and HCA HealthONE. The presence of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, one of the largest academic medical campuses in the country, anchors the region’s healthcare excellence.

Whether you are heading to Denver for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. Denver has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.

Major Hospitals and Health Systems

Denver is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital — Located on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, UCH is a nationally ranked academic medical center and the region’s premier teaching hospital with leading programs in cancer, transplant, and neuroscience.

Denver Health Medical Center — Denver’s safety-net hospital and a Level I trauma center. Denver Health serves a diverse urban population and offers travel nurses high-volume, high-acuity experience in emergency and critical care.

Swedish Medical Center — An HCA HealthONE facility in Englewood, Swedish is the largest hospital in the metro area by licensed beds and a Level I trauma center with strong surgical and cardiac programs.

St. Joseph Hospital — Part of Intermountain Health, St. Joseph is located in the Uptown neighborhood and serves a diverse patient population with comprehensive medical and surgical services.

Children’s Hospital Colorado — A top-ranked pediatric hospital located on the Anschutz Medical Campus. It serves as the region’s primary children’s hospital and attracts pediatric travel nurses from across the country.

Travel nurse demand in Denver is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and OR being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during ski season in winter and summer outdoor season both drive population fluctuations. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.

Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses

Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your Denver assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in Denver.

Capitol Hill and Uptown

Denver’s most walkable and vibrant neighborhood, running along Colfax Avenue and 17th Avenue. Cap Hill features diverse restaurants, bars, and nightlife with a mix of historic apartments and modern buildings.

Pros: Most walkable Denver neighborhood, vibrant dining and nightlife, close to downtown hospitals and St. Joseph, diverse community

Cons: Parking is difficult, some noise from nightlife, older housing stock, Colfax Avenue has areas of concern

RiNo (River North Art District)

A former industrial area turned trendy arts and brewery district north of downtown. RiNo features colorful murals, craft breweries, food halls, and modern apartment buildings.

Pros: Vibrant arts and brewery scene, modern apartments, walkable to downtown, close to light rail, creative community

Cons: Higher rents for new construction, industrial areas can feel desolate at night, noise from bars and events

Wash Park (Washington Park)

A beautiful residential neighborhood centered around Washington Park, which features a lake, running paths, and tennis courts. It is popular with active professionals and offers a quieter lifestyle.

Pros: Beautiful park with running paths and lake, residential calm, excellent brunch spots on South Gaylord and Old South Pearl, safe and family-friendly

Cons: Higher rents, car needed for most commutes, limited nightlife, competitive rental market

Aurora (Anschutz Campus area)

For travel nurses working at UCHealth or Children’s Hospital on the Anschutz Campus, living in nearby Aurora can provide a short commute at significantly lower rent than central Denver neighborhoods.

Pros: Very short commute to Anschutz Campus hospitals, significantly lower rents than Denver proper, light rail access to downtown, ample parking

Cons: Suburban feel, limited walkability, fewer dining and entertainment options, some areas feel isolated

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Denver has a growing RTD light rail system connecting downtown to the airport, Aurora, and southern suburbs. Bus service covers most of the city. Traffic on I-25 and I-70 can be congested, especially during rush hour and on winter ski weekends. Choosing housing near your hospital or along a light rail line is recommended. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Denver through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Denver are slightly above the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.

• Studio apartment: $1,100 to $1,700 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,300 to $2,100 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,600 to $2,600 per month

Denver’s rental market has become more expensive with population growth, but it offers more options and better value than many West Coast cities. Furnished apartments are available in most neighborhoods. The Anschutz Campus area in Aurora tends to have more affordable options for nurses working at UCHealth.

Many travel nurses in Denver find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.

GSA Stipend Rate

The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the Denver, CO area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.

It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.

Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.

Housing Tips for Denver

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Denver that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. Altitude adjustment is real — Denver sits at 5,280 feet, and the Anschutz Campus is even higher. The altitude can cause headaches, shortness of breath, and fatigue during your first week. Stay hydrated, limit alcohol initially, and give your body time to acclimate.

2. Winter driving requires preparation — Denver winters bring snow and ice. A car with all-wheel drive or good snow tires is recommended. Keep an emergency kit in your car and be prepared for occasional major snowstorms that can disrupt your commute.

3. The outdoor lifestyle is unbeatable — Denver’s proximity to the Rocky Mountains means world-class skiing, hiking, and outdoor recreation is within 60 to 90 minutes. This is a major perk that draws many travel nurses to the area.

4. Dry climate awareness — Denver is extremely dry. Use moisturizer, drink extra water, and consider a humidifier for your apartment. The dryness can cause nosebleeds and skin issues if you are not prepared.

For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.

Cost of Living Overview

Denver’s cost of living is above the national average, driven primarily by rising housing costs. Groceries are slightly above average. Gas prices are moderate. Dining out ranges from affordable food truck meals to upscale restaurants in LoDo and RiNo. Colorado has a flat state income tax rate of around 4.4 percent.

When budgeting for your Denver assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. King Soopers (Kroger) and Sprouts are popular grocery chains with competitive prices. Denver’s brewery scene offers affordable socializing, with many breweries serving pints for $5 to $7. Take advantage of the many free outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and exploring the city’s extensive park system. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.

Things to Do on Days Off

One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. Denver has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Rocky Mountain Hiking — Within an hour of Denver, you can hike trails ranging from easy canyon walks to challenging fourteener climbs. Popular day hikes include Hanging Lake, St. Mary’s Glacier, and trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre — Attend a concert at this iconic outdoor venue set among stunning red sandstone formations, or hike and work out on the amphitheatre steps for free during the day.
• Skiing and Snowboarding — Denver is the gateway to some of the best ski resorts in North America. Breckenridge, Vail, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin are all within a two-hour drive.
• Denver Beer Trail — With over 100 breweries in the metro area, Denver is one of the best craft beer cities in America. The RiNo district alone has over a dozen breweries within walking distance.
• Denver Art Museum — A world-class art museum with a striking Daniel Libeskind-designed building and collections spanning global art from pre-Columbian to contemporary.

Take full advantage of your time in Denver. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.

Final Thoughts

Denver, Colorado offers travel nurses a strong healthcare market in a stunning mountain setting with world-class outdoor recreation, a vibrant urban culture, and over 300 days of sunshine. With UCHealth, Denver Health, and several major HCA and Intermountain Health facilities and a above average cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.

Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in Denver, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.

For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for Denver assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your Denver assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.