First Apartment at CU Boulder: The Ultimate Move-In Checklist
First-time CU Boulder renters must photograph every surface of their apartment before unpacking a single box to protect security deposits worth $800 to $1,500. Most Boulder landlords deduct hundreds from deposits for pre-existing damage that students failed to document. The difference between getting your full deposit back and losing half comes down to what you do in the first 48 hours after getting keys. This checklist covers documentation, utility setup, roommate systems, and the essentials that actually matter during move-in week.
TL;DR: Move-In Priorities for First-Time Renters
- Photograph every wall, floor, appliance, and fixture before bringing boxes inside
- Email documentation to your landlord within 48 hours with timestamps
- Test all appliances, faucets, heating systems, and smoke detectors immediately
- Set up utilities and internet at least two weeks before move-in date
- Establish cleaning schedules and expense tracking with roommates during week one
Document Everything Before You Unpack
This is the single most important task. Not tomorrow. Not after you settle in. The moment you get your keys.
Walk through every room with your phone. Take timestamped photos and videos of every surface, corner, and fixture. Boulder apartments near campus have pre-existing wear that landlords use to justify deposit deductions.
What to capture:
Every wall, focusing on scratches, scuffs, nail holes, and discoloration. All carpet stains, tears, or weird spots. Baseboards and door frames. Window screens, blinds, and curtain rods. Inside every cabinet and drawer. All appliances including interiors of fridge, oven, and dishwasher. Bathroom tile, grout, toilet, and sink condition. Light fixtures and outlet covers. Any chips, cracks, or water damage anywhere.
Send these photos to your landlord immediately via email. Use a subject line like “Move-In Condition Documentation – [Your Address] – [Date].” Keep this email. Screenshot the sent confirmation.
When you move out and they try to charge you $150 for a stain that was already there, this email is the only thing standing between you and losing that money. Boulder landlords know students usually skip this step. That is exactly why documentation works.
Test Everything in the First 24 Hours
Once you have documented conditions, start testing before boxes distract you and roommates arrive.
Appliances first:
Run the dishwasher through a full cycle empty. Turn on all stove burners and check the oven heats correctly. Make sure the fridge actually gets cold within a few hours. Run the garbage disposal with water. Test the washer and dryer if in-unit.
If something does not work, you need to know now. Not in two weeks when your landlord can claim you broke it.
Water and drainage:
Turn on all faucets and check for leaks under sinks. Flush every toilet multiple times. Run the shower for five minutes to check water pressure and drainage. Look for any moisture or soft spots around fixtures.
Heat and safety:
Test the thermostat on both heat and AC settings. Check that vents actually blow air in every room. Test every smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Make sure all windows open and lock properly. Verify exterior doors lock and deadbolts work smoothly.
Text your landlord immediately about anything broken or missing. Document this conversation too. Submit maintenance requests in writing through your landlord’s preferred system. Texts and verbal mentions do not create paper trails.
Set Up Utilities Before Move-In Day
Boulder providers often need one to two weeks to schedule installation. Wait until move-in day and you might go without Wi-Fi during syllabus week.
Internet requires advance planning. Call at least two providers. Not every company services every building in Boulder. Some complexes have exclusive contracts. Common Boulder internet providers include Xfinity, CenturyLink, and Ting in select neighborhoods.
Aim for at least 200 Mbps for two to three people. Streaming, gaming, video calls, and uploading assignments all happen simultaneously. Ask about student discounts. Many providers run back-to-school promotions in July and August.
Electricity and gas through Xcel Energy. Set up electricity at least two weeks before move-in. You can often complete this online in 10 minutes. You will need your lease, move-in date, and Social Security Number or deposit if you have no credit history. Expect a deposit of $50 to $150 that gets refunded after 12 months of on-time payments.
Mail setup matters. Submit a USPS address change at usps.com/move at least one week before moving. It costs $1.10 for identity verification. Update your address directly with CU Boulder, your bank, financial aid, and anyone sending important documents.
Stock Day-One Essentials Only
Students waste money on stuff that does not matter and forget essentials. Focus on functionality, not Instagram-worthy setups.
Cleaning supplies come first. Your apartment needs cleaning before you are comfortable living in it. Disinfectant wipes or spray. Paper towels. All-purpose cleaner. Toilet brush and plunger. Small vacuum or broom and dustpan. Clean bathroom, kitchen counters, and floors before organizing anything else.
Kitchen basics for actual cooking:
One medium pot for pasta and soups. One large pan for eggs and stir-fries. Spatula and large spoon. Chef’s knife and cutting board. Two to four plates, bowls, and cups. Forks, spoons, knives. Can opener. Dish soap and sponge.
You do not need matching sets. Goodwill has dishes for $1 each. The point is functionality when you are hungry at 11 PM with an exam tomorrow.
Bathroom essentials:
Shower curtain and rings if not provided. Bath towels and washcloths. Toilet paper in bulk. Basic toiletries. Small trash can.
Bedroom basics:
Sheets that fit your mattress. Check if it is Twin XL, Full, or Queen. Boulder apartments vary. Pillow and pillowcase. Blanket or comforter. Mattress protector since landlords do not always provide clean mattresses.
Boulder gets cold at night even in summer. Bring warmer bedding than you think you need.
Establish Roommate Systems Immediately
The smoothest roommate situations run on clear systems, not good vibes. Have these conversations during your first week.
Cleaning schedule: Rotate weekly responsibilities for trash, kitchen, and bathroom. Use a visible chart. Resentment builds when shared spaces get gross and nobody is clearly responsible.
Shared expenses tracking: Use Splitwise or a similar app. Venmo requests without context breed tension. One person should take point on each utility account. Having four names on the electric bill creates refund headaches when you move out.
Boundaries before problems arise: Discuss quiet hours since CU students have wildly different schedules. Clarify guest policies including overnight visitors. Decide whether food is shared or separate. Label shelves or agree to share staples.
Coordinate before duplicating items: You do not need four vacuums or three coffee makers. Create a shared spreadsheet listing who brings the couch, TV, vacuum, and other big items. Figure out who is setting up internet and how you are splitting costs.
Protect Your Security Deposit From Day One
Most CU students lose portions of their security deposit unnecessarily.
Document move-in comprehensively. You already know this. Photos with timestamps. Email to landlord. Keep everything.
Understand normal wear versus damage. Carpet wear in traffic patterns is normal. Carpet stains are damage. Faded paint is normal. Holes and marks are damage.
Address maintenance issues immediately. That dripping faucet seems minor until your water bill is $40 higher. Small problems become big ones. Landlords can claim you caused damage through neglect if you ignored issues.
Know the timeline. Colorado law requires landlords to return deposits or provide itemized deduction lists within 30 to 60 days depending on lease terms. If they miss that deadline, you may be entitled to the full deposit regardless of condition.
First Week Admin Tasks
Handle these within seven days of moving in.
Get renters insurance. Most CU students use NSSI, State Farm, or Lemonade. Costs $10 to $20 monthly. Your lease probably requires it. More importantly, it covers theft and liability when your neighbor’s leak floods your laptop.
Update your Buff OneCard address. Ensure your OneCard works for RTD bus access. The Skip and Hop routes are free with your student ID, but only if it is activated properly.
Download transit apps. RTD Mobile and Google Maps. Learn your bus routes to campus before you desperately need them at 7 AM.
Locate emergency systems. Find the circuit breaker and learn which switches control which rooms. Find the water shut-off valve. Program your landlord’s maintenance line into your phone.
Walk to campus. Time your actual commute before classes start. The 15-minute estimate you were told might not be realistic at 8:45 AM in February snow.
What Can Wait
You do not need everything on day one. These can wait until week two or three when you understand your space and routine.
Decorative items like posters, plants, and throw pillows. Extra furniture beyond bed and desk. Specialty kitchen appliances. Storage containers. Cleaning products beyond basics.
The first week is about functionality. Decorating and optimizing comes later when you are not exhausted and stressed.
Your first Boulder apartment will not be perfect on day one. It should be functional, safe, and properly documented so you get your deposit back next July. Focus on that and everything else figures itself out within a few weeks.
