What is the Average Internet Bill in Colorado?

What is the Average Internet Bill in Colorado?

You need to know all the ins-and-outs of your internet plan for budgeting in Colorado. As remote work continues to be a large driver of how Coloradans connect online and streaming services replace traditional cable, internet bills have become one of the most significant utility expenses for households across the state.

According to a recent Move.org report [1], the average internet bill in Colorado averages just below $70 per month, though this varies significantly based on speed, internet provider, and location.

How Much Do Colorado Residents Actually Pay for Internet?

The average internet bill Colorado residents pay depends on several factors, but most households spend between $65 and $75 monthly for standard broadband service. This aligns closely with the national average of $64 per month, but can fluctuate based on your specific needs and location.

In city areas like Denver, Colorado Springs, and Aurora, residents typically have access to multiple internet providers offering competitive pricing [2]. A basic plan with speeds around 100-300 Mbps generally costs $50-$65 per month. However, if you’re streaming 4K content, gaming online, or working from home with video conferencing needs, you’ll likely require speeds of 500 Mbps or higher, which can push your bill to $75-$100+ monthly.

Rural Colorado residents often face different challenges. Limited infrastructure in mountain communities and eastern plains areas can mean fewer provider options and higher costs for comparable speeds. Some rural households pay $80-$120 per month for internet service that urban residents might get for $60.

What Factors Affect Internet Prices in Colorado?

Several elements influence how much you’ll pay for internet service in the Centennial State.

Location and Infrastructure: Your zip code plays a massive role in determining available internet providers and pricing. Denver’s competitive market offers numerous options from Xfinity, CenturyLink, and T-Mobile Home Internet, while rural areas might only have satellite providers like Starlink or single DSL options.

Connection Type: The technology delivering your internet significantly impacts both cost and performance. Fiber-optic connections, increasingly available in Front Range communities [3], offer the fastest speeds but typically cost $60-$100 monthly. Cable internet, the most common type, ranges from $45-$80 depending on speed tiers. DSL services, while cheaper at $30-$50 per month, provide slower speeds that may frustrate modern usage patterns.

Speed Requirements: Internet service providers tier their pricing based on download speeds. A 100 Mbps plan suitable for light browsing and streaming might cost $50, while gigabit service (1,000 Mbps) for power users can reach $100-$150 monthly.

Promotional Pricing vs. Standard Rates: One critical consideration when evaluating internet prices is understanding promotional periods. Many providers advertise attractive introductory rates (sometimes as low as $30-$40 monthly) that expire after 12-24 months. Your bill could increase by $20-$30 once the promotional period ends, so always ask about standard rates when comparing options.

How Can I Find the Best Internet in Your Area?

Finding the right internet service requires comparing what’s actually available at your address. The best internet providers in Colorado vary significantly by location, and what works for your neighbor might not even be an option for you.

Start by entering your zip code into comparison tools that show all available providers in your specific area. This simple step reveals which companies service your address and their current offerings. You’ll want to compare internet plans across several dimensions: advertised speeds, actual customer-reported speeds, monthly costs after promotions end, data caps or unlimited options, contract requirements, and installation or equipment fees.

When you compare internet providers, look beyond the flashy advertised price. A $39.99 promotional rate that jumps to $79.99 after a year might not be the best value compared to a consistent $65 monthly plan. Similarly, some providers charge $10-$15 monthly for equipment rental, while others include it in your base price.

Which Internet Providers Offer the Best Value in Colorado?

Colorado’s internet market has become increasingly competitive, particularly along the Front Range where multiple providers overlap. Xfinity dominates the cable internet market, offering widespread availability and speeds up to 1.2 Gbps in many areas. Their pricing typically starts around $40 for 300 Mbps service (with a multi-year contract), though prices vary by location [4].

CenturyLink provides both DSL and fiber services across Colorado. Their fiber offerings, branded as Quantum Fiber, deliver symmetrical speeds—meaning your upload speeds match your downloads—which benefits remote workers and content creators. Pricing ranges from $50 for 500 Mbps to $165 for 8 gigabit service [5].

T-Mobile Home Internet has emerged as a disruptive option in areas with strong 5G coverage, offering unlimited data for a flat $50-$60 monthly with no contracts [6]. However, speeds can vary based on network congestion and your distance from cell towers.

For rural Coloradans, Starlink satellite internet has become a viable option since launching in 2021. While the $120 monthly cost plus $599 equipment fee represents a significant investment, it often provides the only high-speed option in remote areas, delivering 50-200 Mbps in most conditions.

How Do Colorado’s Internet Costs Compare to Overall Living Expenses?

Internet service is a relatively modest portion of Colorado’s overall cost of living, but it’s still important to factor into your budget. Colorado residents spend an average of $370 monthly on all utilities combined. With internet averaging $60-$75, it accounts for roughly 16-20% of total utility costs.

This percentage has grown over the past few years as internet speeds and therefore costs have increased, while other utilities like electricity and water have remained a bit more stable. For many households, particularly those who’ve eliminated cable TV in favor of streaming services, internet has become the single most important utility after electricity.

What Should I Consider When Choosing an Internet Plan?

Making an informed internet comparison requires understanding your household’s actual needs. A single person who primarily checks email and streams Netflix requires far less bandwidth than a family of four with multiple devices, remote workers, and gaming consoles running simultaneously.

Consider these questions: How many devices connect to your network regularly? Do you work from home with video conferencing needs? Do you game online or stream in 4K? Does anyone upload large files regularly? The answers help determine whether a 100 Mbps plan suffices or if you need 500+ Mbps.

Also examine the fine print for data caps. While many providers advertise “unlimited" internet, some implement soft caps around 1.2 TB monthly with overage charges. Heavy streaming households can exceed this, making truly unlimited plans worth the potential premium.

How Can I Lower My Internet Bill in Colorado?

Colorado residents have several strategies to reduce internet costs without sacrificing quality. First, compare internet plans annually. Internet providers regularly introduce new promotional offers, and you might qualify even as an existing customer if you’re willing to threaten switching.

Consider your actual speed needs honestly. If you’re paying for gigabit service but rarely exceed 200 Mbps usage, downgrading could save $20-$40 monthly. Use online speed tests during peak usage times to determine your true requirements.

Bundle carefully… or don’t bundle at all. While internet providers often promote discounts for bundling with TV or phone service, streaming services have become so cost-effective that a standalone internet plan plus streaming subscriptions frequently costs less than traditional bundles.

Finally, purchase your own modem and router instead of renting equipment. While the upfront cost of $80-$150 seems steep, you’ll recoup this within 6-12 months compared to typical $10-$15 monthly rental fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest internet option in Colorado?

The most affordable internet in Colorado typically comes from promotional offers on basic plans, starting around $30-$40 monthly for 100-300 Mbps speeds. T-Mobile Home Internet offers competitive flat-rate pricing at $50 monthly with no contracts in areas with 5G coverage. However, always verify the post-promotional pricing and whether speeds meet your household needs before committing.

Do internet prices vary between Denver and rural Colorado?

Yes, significantly. Denver and Front Range communities benefit from infrastructure competition, offering more providers and better pricing, typically $50-$75 for quality service. Rural areas often have limited options, with prices ranging from $80-$120 for comparable speeds, or require satellite services like Starlink at $120 monthly.

How often do internet bills increase in Colorado?

Most promotional rates last 12-24 months before increasing to standard pricing, which can be $20-$40 higher monthly. Additionally, providers may implement annual price increases of $3-$5 even on standard rates. Review your bill annually and be prepared to negotiate or switch providers to maintain competitive pricing.

Is fiber internet worth the extra cost in Colorado?

Fiber internet generally offers the best value for households with high bandwidth needs. While pricing is comparable to cable internet ($60-$90 monthly), fiber provides more reliable speeds, better upload performance for remote work, and fewer slowdowns during peak hours. If available at your address, fiber typically justifies any slight premium over cable alternatives.

Sources

[1] Move.org. “Utility Bills 101: Average Monthly Cost of Utilities by State and Nationally.”

[2] CNET. “Best Internet Providers in Denver, Colorado.”

[3] The Colorado Sun. “What’s Working: Google Fiber skips public funding, expands gigabit internet in Colorado.”

[4] Xfinity Internet. “Homepage.”

[5] Quantum Fiber Internet. “Homepage.”

[6] T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. “Homepage.”