Commerce City is weird. I mean that in the best way possible, but if you’re looking up a Commerce City CO zip code, you’ve probably already realized this place doesn't follow a standard grid. It’s a massive, sprawling mix of heavy industrial oil refineries and shiny, brand-new suburban rooftops. One minute you're smelling the Suncor refinery and the next you’re looking at a pristine soccer stadium or a herd of bison at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.
Because the city has exploded in size over the last decade, the zip code you use matters more than you think. It dictates whether you’re living in the "Old Town" section near Denver or out in the "Northern Range" where the houses still have that new-carpet smell.
The Core Breakdown of Commerce City Zip Codes
Most people think Commerce City is just one block of land. It isn't. It’s actually split primarily into two major zones: 80022 and 80640.
80022 is the big one. It covers the vast majority of the residential areas, including the historic southern end and the massive growth happening up north in neighborhoods like Reunion. If you're moving into a new build, this is almost certainly your code. Then you have 80640. This one is a bit of a geographic rebel. It technically centers on Brighton but bleeds down into the northern fringes of Commerce City. If you’re living on a larger lot or a more rural-feeling property on the outskirts, you might find yourself under this Brighton-associated code despite paying taxes to Commerce City.
There’s also a tiny sliver of 80216. This is mostly industrial. It’s the area that hugs the Denver border, full of warehouses, trucking companies, and the aforementioned refinery. If you have a business address here, you’re basically in the engine room of Colorado’s logistics economy.
Why the 80022 Zip Code is Dominating the Map
Honestly, 80022 is the heart of the "New Commerce City."
Ten years ago, people ignored this area. Now? It’s where everyone goes when they get priced out of Denver or Stapleton (now Central Park). The zip code stretches from the gritty industrial roots near I-76 all the way up to the E-470 beltway.
The geography here is wild. You have the Buffalo Run Golf Course and the Reunion Center, which feel like a totally different planet compared to the older neighborhoods near 60th Avenue. This growth has actually caused some logistical headaches. Mail delivery to newer subdivisions in the northern part of 80022 can sometimes be spotty because the post office is constantly trying to keep up with the sheer volume of new addresses being hammered into the dirt every single month.
Logistics, Shipping, and the "Denver" Confusion
Here is something that trips up everyone: the "Denver" alias.
Because of how the USPS routing works, many addresses within a Commerce City CO zip code are technically recognized as "Denver, CO" in certain shipping databases. It’s annoying. You’ll be filling out an online form, you put in 80022, and it auto-populates as Denver.
Don't panic.
It usually gets to the right place. However, if you are shipping freight—which is a huge deal here given the proximity to I-70 and I-270—you really need to specify Commerce City. Carriers like FedEx and UPS have massive hubs nearby, and "Commerce City" triggers specific routing instructions that "Denver" might not, especially for industrial sites.
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The Rocky Mountain Arsenal Factor
You can't talk about these zip codes without mentioning the giant hole in the map. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge takes up a massive chunk of land right in the middle of 80022.
It acts as a literal barrier.
This means that while two points might look close on a map within the same zip code, you might have to drive ten miles around the refuge to get there. It’s a 15,000-acre expanse of prairie where chemicals were once manufactured, but now it’s home to black-footed ferrets and bison. It’s one of the few places in the country where a major metropolitan zip code includes a massive wildlife sanctuary. If you live on the border of this in the 80022 area, your "neighbors" are literally wild animals.
Real Estate and the Zip Code Premium
Is there a price difference? Absolutely.
If you are looking at property in 80022, you’re going to see a massive range. The southern portion, the "Old Town" area, generally has lower property values but higher walkability to local spots. As you move north into the 80022/Reunion area, prices jump. You're paying for the suburban amenities—parks, recreation centers, and the fact that your house wasn't built in 1952.
- 80022 (North): High demand, newer schools, higher HOAs.
- 80022 (South): Older homes, no HOAs usually, closer to the city core.
- 80640: Semi-rural, more land, longer commutes.
Most people don't realize that Commerce City is one of the few places left in the metro area where you can find a decent-sized home for under $600,000, though that window is closing fast. The 80022 zip code has seen some of the highest appreciation rates in Adams County over the last five years.
The School District Split
This is the part that actually matters for parents. Zip codes and school districts in Commerce City don't line up perfectly.
Just because you are in 80022 doesn't mean you’re in the same district as your neighbor. The city is split primarily between Adams County School District 14 and School District 27J. District 14 serves the older, southern part of the city. 27J serves the booming northern area.
If you’re moving for the schools, check the district map, not just the zip code. I’ve seen people get burned by assuming 80022 meant they were in a specific school's catchment area, only to find out they were on the wrong side of a boundary line that follows an old farm road.
Common Misconceptions About Commerce City
People think it's all "The Smeltery."
That’s the old reputation. While the industrial zones in 80216 and southern 80022 are very much active, the vast majority of the land mass in these zip codes is actually residential or open space.
Another big one: "It’s too far from Denver."
Not really. Depending on where you are in the 80022 zip code, you can be at Union Station in 20 minutes. The expansion of the G-Line and the proximity to the A-Line (the train to the plane) makes this area a sleeper hit for commuters who work at DIA or downtown.
Government and Services
Commerce City operates its own police and municipal services, but they are often stretched thin across these large zip codes. If you live in the northern reaches of 80022, your response times or trash pickup might feel different than if you're in the dense southern grid. It’s the price of living in a city that’s growing faster than its infrastructure.
The city hall is located at 7887 E. 60th Ave. If you're in the southern 80022 area, you’re right there. If you’re up in the 80640 or northern 80022 area, you’re looking at a 15-minute drive just to pay a water bill or talk to a planner.
Actionable Steps for Navigating Commerce City Zip Codes
If you are moving to the area or setting up a business, don't just rely on a generic search.
First, verify your school district manually. Go to the Adams County GIS portal. Don't trust Zillow. The boundaries in 80022 change frequently as new schools are built to accommodate the population surge.
Second, check the flood maps. Parts of the 80022 zip code near the Rocky Mountain Arsenal and various creeks are prone to drainage issues. Colorado's "dry" climate is a lie when a summer monsoon hits and the prairie has nowhere to dump the water.
Third, confirm your taxing authority. Some parts of the 80640 and 80022 zip codes fall into Metro Districts. This means your property taxes could be significantly higher than the base rate to pay for the roads and sewers built by the developers. You’ll want to see the "mill levy" on any property you're considering.
Finally, use the full 9-digit zip code for shipping. Because the 80022 area is so large and encompasses both residential and heavy industrial zones, adding those extra four digits ensures your package doesn't end up at a chemical warehouse when it was supposed to be at your front door.