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Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is a small art school in Lakewood, Colorado, a western Denver suburb. The school is relatively small in enrollment, so the surrounding area doesn't have the student-complex infrastructure you'd find near a large university. Most students rent in Lakewood or adjacent Denver neighborhoods and commute to campus. The Belmar area of Lakewood — a mixed-use development along Alameda — has a mix of apartment housing, retail, and a light rail station (the W Line) that connects to downtown Denver in about 30 minutes. Shared rooms in Lakewood and west Denver typically run $850–$1,200/month.
RMCAD has no on-campus housing and no live-on requirements. All students live off-campus and commute to the Lakewood campus. The school's small size means housing is entirely a personal logistics matter.
No contracted or approved housing system exists. Students rent throughout Lakewood, Jefferson County, and the broader Denver metro. RTD's W Line connects the Lakewood area to downtown Denver, making a wider range of neighborhoods viable for students who rely on transit.
The Lakewood rental market runs on standard 12-month cycles with summer as the primary turnover period. Starting 2–3 months before your desired move-in is generally sufficient — there's no intense student-housing seasonality the way there is at large residential campuses.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design before signing a lease.
Starting 2–3 months before your move-in date gives you a good selection in Lakewood and west Denver. The Belmar area and the neighborhoods along Alameda Avenue have enough inventory that an April or May search for fall move-in covers the range of available options without intense competition.
May through July is Denver metro's general peak for rental turnover. RMCAD students compete with the broader Lakewood and Denver rental market rather than primarily other art students — demand reflects general population trends more than academic calendars.
Lakewood and west Denver have enough rental inventory that last-minute searching is more forgiving than near a large university. Students searching in July or August will find options, particularly in apartment complexes along Alameda and Wadsworth.
The mixed-use Belmar development along Alameda is the most student-convenient area near RMCAD — retail, dining, an apartment supply, and the Sheridan W Line light rail station within walking distance. A practical base for students who want transit access to Denver without deep-city rents.
The Denver neighborhoods immediately east of Lakewood along Colfax and West 6th Avenue offer more affordable housing with bike access to Lakewood and RTD bus connections. Popular with budget-conscious students and those who want a more urban neighborhood feel.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Shared rooms in Lakewood and west Denver near RMCAD typically run $850–$1,200/month. Solo apartments in the Belmar area start around $1,100–$1,500/month. Lakewood is more affordable than central Denver but has risen with the broader metro market.