You’re moving to the Springs. Maybe it’s a PCS move to Fort Carson, a contract at UCHealth, or you’re just one of the thousands of people who realized that waking up next to Pikes Peak is better than staring at a cubicle wall in a humid coastal city. But here’s the thing: the housing market here is tight. Like, "bidding war for a fixer-upper in Widefield" tight. So you look into a colorado springs extended stay and suddenly you're hit with a wall of beige walls, questionable carpets, and that weird "hotel breakfast" smell that lingers until Tuesday.
It sucks.
Staying somewhere for a month shouldn't feel like a punishment. Most people think their only options are the big-box chains out by the airport or the expensive corporate housing downtown that charges you for "luxury" amenities you'll never use. Honestly, finding a spot that feels like a home—where you can actually cook a steak without setting off a sensitive smoke alarm—requires knowing the layout of the city and the reality of the local market.
The Neighborhood Divide: Where You Actually Want to Be
Location is everything in El Paso County. If you pick a spot because it’s cheap but it’s forty minutes from your job because of the Woodmen Road traffic nightmare, you’ve already lost.
North Colorado Springs, specifically the Briargate and Interquest areas, is where you find the newer, "polished" extended stay options. Think Residence Inn or My Place. These are fine. They're clean. But they're also surrounded by chain restaurants and strip malls. It’s convenient if you’re working at the Focus on the Family campus or one of the tech firms near Voyager Parkway. However, if you want a soul, you’ve gotta look elsewhere.
Old Colorado City (OCC) is the move for anyone who likes character. You’ll find converted Victorians and smaller, independent long-term rentals here. You can walk to a local coffee shop like Jives or grab a pint at Front Range BBQ. The downside? The "amenities" might be a radiator that clanks in the night and a parking spot that requires a 12-point turn.
Then there’s the South End. Near Broadmoor and Cheyenne Mountain. This is where the air feels different—literally, you're right against the foothills. If you’re here for a colorado springs extended stay and you have the budget, staying near the Broadmoor Valley area gives you instant access to North Cheyenne Cañon Park. You’re paying for the view and the dirt under your fingernails from hiking Seven Bridges every morning before work.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Long Term" Rates
People see a nightly rate of $150 and think, "I'll just ask for a monthly discount."
That’s not how it works in a tourism-heavy town.
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Colorado Springs has a massive seasonal swing. If you’re looking for a spot in July, you’re competing with every family visiting the Garden of the Gods and the Air Force Academy. Rates will be double what they are in January. If you are staying longer than 30 days, make sure you specifically ask about the tax exemption. In Colorado, many jurisdictions waive the "lodging tax" (which can be 10% or more) if your stay exceeds 30 consecutive days. That’s a massive chunk of change that stays in your pocket instead of going to the city coffers.
Don't just book through a third-party site. Call the front desk. Ask for the "Director of Sales." Not the person answering the phone at 2:00 PM—they can't help you. You want the person who manages the inventory. Tell them your story. "I'm a traveling nurse on a 13-week contract" or "I'm waiting for my house in Flying Horse to close." They have "off-menu" rates for people who aren't going to trash the room and will provide guaranteed occupancy for three months.
The Kitchen Situation: A Survival Guide
Living out of a microwave is a one-way ticket to burnout.
A true colorado springs extended stay needs a full kitchen. But "full kitchen" is a loose term in the hotel industry. Sometimes it means a two-burner electric cooktop that takes twenty minutes to boil water. Other times it's a full-sized oven. If you plan on actually living here, you need to verify:
- Full-sized refrigerator: Not the mini-fridge that freezes your lettuce but leaves your milk lukewarm.
- Dishwasher: Because you didn't move to the mountains to spend your nights scrubbing pots in a tiny bathroom sink.
- Ventilation: This is huge. Many extended stays don't have vents that lead outside. If you sear a burger, the whole floor knows.
If you end up in a place with a lackluster kitchen, do yourself a favor and go to the King Soopers on Uintah or the Whole Foods on Academy. Stock up on high-quality pre-made meals. Or better yet, hit up the local food trucks. The Springs has a surprisingly vibrant mobile food scene, especially near the local breweries like Goat Patch or Bristol Brewing at Ivywild.
The Military Factor and Your Stay
We can't talk about Colorado Springs without talking about the military. With Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever, Fort Carson, and the Academy, the city is a revolving door of uniforms.
This affects you because the high-quality extended stays fill up fast with people on TDY (Temporary Duty) or PCS (Permanent Change of Station). These folks have a set housing allowance (BAH) and often book out months in advance. If you see a sudden spike in prices or a "no vacancy" sign across the city, check the graduation schedule for the Air Force Academy. Late May is a ghost town for available rooms. Avoid it if you can.
On the flip side, if you are military, always ask for the government rate. It’s usually capped at the local per diem, which is often lower than the market rate during peak season.
Avoiding the "Meth-y" End of the Spectrum
Let’s be real. Every city has its rough patches.
In Colorado Springs, there are several "budget" extended stay hotels along the South Nevada corridor and parts of East Platte. They might look tempting because the price is $300 a week, but you're going to see things you can't un-see. Police calls are frequent. The "vibe" is... let's say "unsettled."
If the price seems too good to be true for this city, it usually is. Stick to the areas West of I-25 or far North/East (near Powers Blvd) if you want a quiet night’s sleep without wondering if your catalytic converter will still be there in the morning.
The Tech and Remote Work Reality
If you’re working remotely, the Wi-Fi at a standard colorado springs extended stay can be a nightmare. Everyone is streaming Netflix at 7:00 PM, and your Zoom call is going to drop.
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Ask about "dedicated bandwidth." Some of the newer spots like the Element or even some upscale Airbnbs (which function as extended stays) offer high-speed fiber. If they don't know what "Mbps" means, keep looking. You’re better off finding a spot near a coworking space like Epicentral downtown. You can live in a cozy spot and commute five minutes to a real desk with real coffee and people who aren't wearing bathrobes in the lobby.
Making the Most of the Long Haul
You're here for a while. Don't just sit in your room.
The best part about an extended stay in the Springs is that you have time to see the stuff tourists miss. Go to Red Rock Canyon Open Space instead of Garden of the Gods—it’s less crowded and just as beautiful. Drive up to Palmer Lake for a day. Eat at The Rabbit Hole (if you can get a reservation).
The goal isn't just to survive your stay; it's to figure out if you actually want to live here. Use this time to drive through the neighborhoods. Check out the schools in District 20 versus District 11. See how the wind feels on the East side (spoiler: it’s windy).
Actionable Steps for Your Search
Stop scrolling through endless Google Maps pins and do this instead:
- Filter by "Kitchen" but verify by photo. Look for a four-burner stove in the user-submitted photos on TripAdvisor, not just the professional ones.
- Call and ask for the "30-day tax-exempt rate." If they don't know what you're talking about, move on to a more professional establishment.
- Check the crime maps. Use the Colorado Springs Police Department’s public data to see what’s happening in a two-block radius of your potential stay.
- Book a "bridge" stay. If you're unsure, book three nights at the daily rate before committing to a month. It’s better to lose a little money than to be stuck in a lease-style agreement in a place that smells like old cigarettes.
- Check the "Powers Corridor" for value. While it's suburban and full of traffic, the extended stay hotels along Powers often offer more square footage for the price compared to downtown or the West side.
Living in transition is stressful, but Colorado Springs is a pretty great place to be stuck. Just make sure you have a decent bed, a working stove, and a view of the mountains. The rest usually figures itself out once you have a good base camp.