For the first time in 20 years, more people are leaving Colorado for other states than moving here. According to the state demographer, domestic out-migration exceeded in-migration by roughly 12,100 people.
That headline matters. But the reasons behind it matter more.
The full article by Vince Bzdek offers important context and can be read here:
More people are now leaving Colorado than moving here from other states
https://gazette.com/politics/more-people-are-now-leaving-colorado-than-moving-here-from-other-states/article_8d9a0f7e-d8e6-11ee-b6f2-9b7c6c2c8f6a.html
What the Numbers Actually Say
Colorado’s population still grew by 0.4 percent last year, driven by international migration and an increase in births. However, domestic migration declined sharply.
Compared to 2015:
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Statewide net migration is down more than 50 percent
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Denver metro saw nearly a 70 percent decline
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Colorado Springs experienced a 29 percent decrease
This is not a sudden event. It is the cumulative result of long-term pressures.
Housing Affordability Is a Symptom, Not the Only Cause
High housing costs are a major factor, but affordability does not exist in isolation.
Colorado now ranks last nationally in housing competitiveness due to:
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Limited housing supply
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Restrictive zoning and land-use policies
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Increased regulatory costs placed on builders and businesses
Those regulations directly impact what gets built, how fast it gets built, and how much it costs. When the cost of development rises, housing prices follow.
Regulation and Net Migration Are Connected
Colorado has experienced a significant increase in state-level regulation over the past decade. Business leaders across the state have repeatedly flagged regulatory complexity as a growing barrier to investment, job creation, and expansion.
When employers hesitate to grow, job mobility slows. When job mobility slows, people leave or never arrive in the first place.
Net migration is not just about lifestyle. People move primarily for work, and regulatory environments influence where businesses choose to operate.
Colorado can do better. Colorado has done better.
What This Means for Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is positioned differently than many Front Range markets.
Recent trends show:
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Rents beginning to ease
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Home prices largely flattening
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New housing supply starting to narrow affordability gaps
Slower growth can reduce pressure on infrastructure and create more balanced market conditions. For buyers, this often means more choice and negotiating room. For sellers, it means pricing strategy and preparation matter more than ever.
A Reset, Not a Retreat
Colorado remains a high-income, high-productivity state. Slower growth does not erase that strength. It highlights the need for thoughtful policy that balances environmental stewardship, worker protection, and economic competitiveness.
Housing affordability, business regulation, and population movement are deeply connected. Ignoring that connection risks repeating the same outcomes.
If you would like to talk through how these trends affect your specific plans, I am always happy to share data and context.
Source: Vince Bzdek, The Gazette
https://gazette.com/politics/more-people-are-now-leaving-colorado-than-moving-here-from-other-states/article_8d9a0f7e-d8e6-11ee-b6f2-9b7c6c2c8f6a.html
Tags:
Colorado real estate market, Colorado Springs housing, net migration Colorado, housing affordability Colorado, state regulation impact, Colorado Springs real estate insights
