Living in Downtown Denver as a CU Denver Student: Neighborhoods, Commuting & Student Life

One of the biggest perks of attending CU Denver? You’re not stuck in some isolated college town. You’re in Denver. A real city with real neighborhoods. Actual things to do. The kind of urban energy most college students only dream about.

But here’s the thing. Denver’s a big place. Where you live shapes everything from your daily commute to your weekend plans. Let me break down what it’s actually like to live in different parts of Denver as a CU Denver student, how to get around, and what kind of student life you can expect in the Mile High City.

Denver Neighborhoods That Make Sense for CU Denver Students

The Auraria Campus sits right in the heart of downtown. Means you’ve got options. Best neighborhood for you depends on your budget, lifestyle, and how much you want to walk versus take transit.

Capitol Hill

This is where a lot of CU Denver students end up. For good reason. Capitol Hill (or “Cap Hill” if you want to sound like a local) sits about one to three miles east of campus. Dense. Walkable. Has the kind of urban character that makes city living feel alive.

One-bedroom apartments in Capitol Hill typically run around $1,100 to $1,300. That’s below Denver’s citywide average, which hovers around $1,500 to $1,700 depending on who you ask. You’ll find everything from converted historic houses to apartment complexes. Plenty of studios too if you’re flying solo on a tighter budget.

The vibe here is young. Students, recent grads, young professionals. Colfax Avenue runs through the neighborhood and brings bars, music venues, coffee shops, and late-night food spots within walking distance. Cheesman Park is nearby for study breaks or weekend hangouts. Bus routes connect Cap Hill to campus without much hassle. Solid choice overall.

Five Points and RiNo

Into arts and breweries and street murals? Five Points (which includes the RiNo Art District) might be your scene. About 1.5 miles from campus. Close enough to bike. Easy enough by transit.

Historically known as the “Harlem of the West,” Five Points has deep cultural roots showing up in its jazz history, galleries, and festivals like the annual Juneteenth celebration. RiNo specifically has exploded with breweries, restaurants, and converted warehouse spaces. Feels creative. Bit industrial. Cool vibe if that’s your thing.

Rent here tends to run higher though. Think $1,500 to $2,200 for a one-bedroom depending on the building. Some pockets are less walkable due to industrial areas. But the energy and food scene make it worth considering if it fits your budget.

LoDo (Lower Downtown)

LoDo is about as close to campus as you can get while still being in a distinct neighborhood. Historic. Walkable. Home to Union Station, Coors Field, and more restaurants and bars than you’ll ever get through.

Catch? It’s expensive. One-bedroom apartments in LoDo often start above $1,900. Many go higher. If you’ve got the budget or can split a two-bedroom with a roommate, the convenience is hard to beat. Minutes from campus by foot. Right on top of light rail connections. Surrounded by downtown entertainment. Premium location though. You’re paying for it.

Baker and South Broadway

Baker sits about two to three miles south of campus along South Broadway Boulevard. The neighborhood has a local, offbeat feel. Galleries. Coffee shops. Restaurants. Independent businesses that aren’t trying too hard to be trendy.

Rent here varies, but you can sometimes find better deals than in Capitol Hill or Five Points. Commute is manageable by bus or bike. Close to the Broadway entertainment strip without paying downtown prices. Good middle ground if you want neighborhood character without breaking the bank.

Highland and LoHi

The Highland neighborhoods (including Lower Highland, or “LoHi”) are farther from campus but connected by light rail. Family-friendly areas with a mix of historic homes and newer apartments. LoHi especially has become known for restaurants and weekend brunch spots.

Trade-off is distance. You’ll rely on transit more. Rent can still be pricey in the trendier pockets. But if you value neighborhood character over proximity, Highland is worth exploring. Some students make it work.

Getting to Campus: Commuting Options

CU Denver’s location makes commuting relatively painless compared to suburban campuses. Here’s how most students get around.

RTD CollegePass

The RTD CollegePass is your golden ticket. Seriously. Around $250 per semester gets you unlimited access to Denver’s buses, light rail lines, Call-n-Ride services, and even the SkyRide to Denver International Airport. Pass isn’t included in student fees though. Purchase it separately through the Auraria Campus ID Station.

Multiple light rail stations and bus stops near campus mean you can live in almost any Denver neighborhood and get to class without owning a car. The 16th Street Mall also runs a free shuttle (MallRide) connecting Union Station and the heart of downtown. Makes getting around way easier.

Biking

Denver has more than 20 miles of bike lanes. Many of them protected. Weather is sunny enough to make cycling practical most of the year. The Auraria Campus has two badge-access bike pavilions with room for 100 bikes total, security cameras, LED lighting, and repair stations. Pretty nice setup actually.

Live in Capitol Hill, Five Points, or Baker? Biking to campus is realistic and often faster than waiting for a bus during peak hours. Worth considering if you don’t mind pedaling.

Driving and Parking

Absolutely need a car? Parking is available but not cheap. Auraria Campus has metered street parking, covered garages, and surface lots with hourly and daily fees. Semester parking permits offer discounted rates but spots fill up. Expect to pay several hundred dollars per semester depending on the lot.

Honestly though? Most students find they don’t need a car if they live close to campus or along transit lines. Money you save on parking and gas can go toward rent in a better location. Something to think about.

Student Life in Denver

CU Denver is a commuter school. Campus life looks different than at traditional residential universities. But the trade-off? Your “campus” is really the entire city. Not a bad deal.

Entertainment and Nightlife

LoDo and Capitol Hill are nightlife central. Larimer Square has upscale restaurants and cocktail bars. Colfax has dive bars, music venues like the Bluebird Theater and Ogden Theatre, late-night food spots like VooDoo Doughnut. RiNo is brewery heaven. Goed Zuur. Great Divide. Dozens of others all within walking distance of each other.

For live music beyond clubs, Red Rocks Amphitheatre is legendary. About 30 minutes from Denver but worth the trip for concerts under the stars in a natural sandstone setting. Nothing else like it. The Mission Ballroom downtown hosts bigger acts in a more traditional concert venue.

Arts and Culture

Denver punches above its weight culturally. Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art are all downtown. The Santa Fe Arts District hosts First Friday Art Walk each month with galleries open late and street vendors out in force. Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station is an immersive, interactive art experience that’s become a must-see since it opened. Honestly wild if you haven’t been.

Outdoor Access

One of the biggest draws of living in Denver. You’re less than an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park. Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, camping. All weekend-trip distance. Within the city, trails along Cherry Creek and the South Platte River let you run, bike, or just get outside without leaving town. City Park has lakes and gardens and open space for when you need a break from studying.

Food Scene

Denver’s food scene keeps expanding. RiNo has Denver Central Market with multiple vendors under one roof. Capitol Hill has everything from Indian food at Little India to Cuban at Cuba Cuba Cafe. South Broadway brings authentic international options. Federal Boulevard especially. Highland has brunch spots and ice cream at Little Man. You won’t run out of places to try. Guarantee that.

Making Denver Work on a Student Budget

Let’s be real. Denver isn’t cheap. City’s cost of living runs about 25 to 30 percent above the national average. Housing is the biggest factor by far.

But with the right approach, you can make it work. Look for roommates. Splitting a two-bedroom brings per-person costs down significantly compared to solo studios. Consider neighborhoods slightly farther from the action where rent dips below the downtown premium. Use the RTD CollegePass to avoid car expenses entirely. Take advantage of student discounts at museums, theaters, and entertainment venues. They add up.

Living in Denver as a CU Denver student isn’t just about surviving the cost. It’s about accessing the kind of city experience most college students don’t get. Neighborhoods have character. Commute options are solid. Student life extends way beyond campus.

You’re not just going to college. You’re living in Denver.