Do you have a rental property in Denver? Or maybe you’re just thinking about dipping your toes into the landlord pool, hoping the water’s not full of maintenance requests and mystery leaks. Either way, if you haven’t considered digital nomads as potential tenants yet, now might be a good time to take a second look.
Because remote work isn’t going anywhere. And neither are the people doing it. They’re just… not staying put.
Who Are These People?
Digital nomads are just regular people, freelancers, startup founders, software devs, designers, who’ve figured out how to make a living from their laptops. And now they’re collecting passport stamps (or at least new zip codes) instead of office keycards.
In fact, according to a 2023 MBO Partners report, there are nearly 17.3 million digital nomads in the U.S. alone. That’s a 131% increase from 2019. Not a typo.
Denver, with its mountain views, decent Wi-Fi, and actually-functioning airports (most days), is a magnet for them.
And that means an opportunity for you.
Why Denver Works (and Why That Matters to You)
Digital nomads aren’t exactly roughing it. They want comfort. Reliability. A home base that feels like home, even if they’re only sticking around for a few months.
Denver’s appeal? It checks a lot of their boxes:
- High quality of life. Think walkable neighborhoods, coffee shops with more oat milk options than dairy, and an actual outdoors.
- Fast internet. You can’t Zoom from a cabin with dial-up. Denver’s broadband infrastructure is solid (and getting better).
- A strong remote work culture. Co-working spaces, meetups, and an overall sense that yes, it’s okay to bring your laptop to a brewery.
Now, before you start listing your property with “digital nomad paradise” in the description, there are a few things to think through.
The Not-So-Glamorous Truth
Renting to digital nomads can be a bit tricky. This crowd is… particular.
They want furnished units. Flexible lease terms. Fast response times when the Wi-Fi blinks or the espresso machine needs a power cycle. They read reviews. They write reviews. And they’ll let you know if the couch was too scratchy.
That’s where a good property manager comes in. If you’re not local, not tech-savvy, or just not in the mood to chase down a plumber at 9 p.m., this is not a DIY kind of situation.
What Nomads Are Looking For
Let’s list the must-haves. If you can meet most of these, you’re in a good spot.
Furnished Spaces. We’re not talking full-blown IKEA showroom. Just enough to live and work without a Target run.
Fast, reliable internet. At least 200 Mbps. More if you can swing it.
Flexible leases. Month-to-month or 3-month leases are ideal.
Work-friendly setups. A real desk and chair can be the difference between a “meh” stay and a glowing review.
Walkability and amenities. Bonus points for proximity to coffee, gyms, and public transit.
A 2022 Airbnb report found that long-term stays (28+ days) are their fastest-growing category. People are “living” temporarily. And Denver fits the mold beautifully, especially during local events like food festivals, remote work conferences, or even the occasional Sparkling Wine Competition in nearby wine country that draws a crowd of digital travelers.
The Risk Factor (and How to Hedge It)
Shorter stays can mean more turnover. More wear and tear. More cleaning. It’s not all passive income and five-star reviews.
But the upside is real: higher rental rates, less risk of lease breakage, and tenants who are usually respectful, if only because they’re used to being reviewed, too.
Still, if the thought of coordinating all that makes you tired just reading about it, it might be time to chat with a property manager. Some specialize in short-term and mid-term rentals. They’ll know the local laws, handle bookings, manage maintenance, and deal with guest quirks like the one who insists the house plants need filtered water.
Let them wrangle the details while you focus on the big picture.
Making It Work: Practical Tips
- Use the right platforms. Airbnb and Furnished Finder are great for short-to-mid-term renters.
- Set expectations clearly. Be upfront about lease length, rules, utilities, etc.
- Consider pricing dynamically. Rates can change with seasons or local events. A property manager (last one, promise) can help with this too.
- Get insured properly. Not all policies cover short-term renters. Don’t get caught off guard.
- Screen gently but effectively. Look at reviews, request references, do your homework.
Is This Niche Right for You?
Maybe. Maybe not.
If you have a well-located, nicely furnished property, and you’re open to flexibility, then yes, this could be a smart move. If you’re more the set-it-and-forget-it landlord who doesn’t want to deal with turnover, it might not be your jam. That’s okay, too.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. But the digital nomad market in Denver is growing, and it’s worth considering while it’s still (somewhat) under the radar.
And if all this sounds like a fun idea until you remember you have zero interest in buying matching towels or fielding late-night Wi-Fi texts, you know where to turn. A professional Denver property management company like Beacon Property Management can take the stress out of the experiment and help you get it right from the start.
No pressure. Just an option worth considering. We are a call away.