Types of Housing
Ready to start your search?
- to search for housing or to find roommates
- Learn more about Boulder
- Find out what you should know before signing a lease
Many students will choose to live in a one- or two-bedroom apartment, the most common type of housing in Boulder and the surrounding areas. There are also many four-bedroom apartments available that several students can live in together.
When looking for an apartment it is very important to consider what type of lease you may be required to sign. The most common type of lease is“joint and several liability” which means that all tenants who sign the lease are responsible, even if one tenant in the unit cannot or does not pay their portion of the rent.
Many newer student housing properties are now offering individualized leases, in which you are only responsible for your portion of the rent.
This type of housing is the second-most popular option for students living in Boulder. Many students will decide to live together in a larger house that may have several roommates/tenants. Housing can be managed by a single property manager or managed by a larger property management company.
One thing to consider about living in a house is that your utilities may be more costly than if you live in an apartment or smaller space. If you are thinking about living in a house, it is important to inquire as to who will be responsible for maintenance of the property and upkeep of other areas such as the front and back yards.
This type of housing is less frequently seen within the City of Boulder and is not as popular with students. In many cases, townhomes are only available if you are looking to purchase the unit. In this scenario, you would be responsible for paying a monthly mortgage payment as if you decided to purchase the home.
Like houses, townhomes will often come with higher utility costs than their apartment counterparts but do have more flexibility on customization (painting, etc.). You may also find that with a townhouse you are required to pay HOA (homeowners association) fees which go toward shared benefits like a recreation center and lawn/snow services.
CU Housing
Bear Creek Apartments are university run and are available to upper-division students (second year and beyond). Bear Creek offers individual liability leases, private-bedroom accommodations, fully furnished apartments, academic term leases and extensive community amenities. You won't find the conveniences anywhere else in Boulder!
To apply to live at Bear Creek, visit the Bear Creek website or stop by the office located next to Williams Village at 3275 Apache Rd. Boulder, CO 80303.
For families, married couples, and single parents, the university maintains furnished and unfurnished one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartments a short walk from campus. A limited number of efficiency or studio apartments are available to single graduate students who are 21 or older. Eligible applicants must be registered as full time students. Only students and members of their immediate families may reside here.
For more information about Graduate and Family Housing, visit the Graduate and Family Housing website or stop by their office located at 1350 20th St, Boulder, CO 80302.
First-year students (freshmen) are required to live on campus and therefore are given priority in the residence halls if they have applied by the residence hall application deadline. However, when space is available upper division students and transfer students interested in the residence halls can apply to live on campus.
If first-year students (freshmen) are married or live with parents/legal guardians and wish to commute from home they may petition to do so. Request for permission to reside off-campus for other reasons are considered on their own merit, taking into account individual circumstances. Petitions should be filed with the reservations manager before applying for housing.
All residence hall room assignments are made by Occupancy Management. You are welcome to contact them at 303-492-6673 with any questions you may have about the halls or living environments or visit the Residence Halls website.