What is the average commercial retail asking rent in Colorado Springs, CO?

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, average commercial retail asking rent is currently $42.60 per square foot per year, with typical NNN CAM pass-throughs averaging $6.50 per square foot.

How many coffee shops operate in Colorado Springs, and is the market oversaturated?

According to Census ZBP data, Colorado Springs has 105 active coffee and snack shops (NAICS 722515), representing a density of 2.15 per 10,000 residents. The market has an Empirical Bayes saturation index of 100/100 and is classified as balanced.

How long does it take to get a commercial building permit in Colorado Springs?

Commercial building permits in Colorado Springs have an average municipal review wait time of 30 business days, and the city does not require a general municipal business license.

What is the combined sales tax rate in Colorado Springs, Colorado?

The combined sales tax rate in Colorado Springs is 4.40%, comprised of a 2.90% state tax and a 1.50% local municipal/county tax.

What power plug, voltage, and electrical frequency are used in Colorado Springs?

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, electrical outlets utilize standard US Type A (2-pin) and Type B (3-pin grounded) plugs running at 120 Volts at 60Hz. International travelers from the UK, EU, Australia, or Asia require a plug adapter and dual-voltage or step-down converter.

What is the time zone, primary airport, and tipping custom in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs operates in the America/Denver (MT: UTC-07:00) zone. The primary commercial airport is Colorado Springs Regional / Metropolitan Airport (AUS). Tipping in restaurants and bars follows standard US customs of 18% to 20%, with contactless chip payments universally accepted.

Place FIPS 0816000 Viability Score: 54/100 MT · -07:00

Colorado Springs, Colorado

The institutional guide to traveling, moving, and doing business in Colorado Springs.

Underwrite trade: Opening a coffee shop in Colorado Springs

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Traveling to Colorado Springs

Flight logistics, cultural calendar, entertainment corridors, and executive visitor protocols

Visitor Guide

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Colorado Springs Regional / Metropolitan Airport ()

Primary Commercial Hub · 11.6 Miles to Downtown

Non-Stop Worldwide Service

Downtown Rideshare 11.6 Miles · Ubiquitous 24/7 Rideshare

Direct Transit 15–30 min via regional highway corridor / rideshare

Foreign Tax Refund International Departure Customs / Standard State Protocol

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Electrical Outlets & Voltage

Standard US Type A / Type B plugs (120V @ 60Hz). Visitors from UK, EU, Australia, or Asia require standard two/three-prong US adapter.

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Currency & Dining Tipping

US Dollar (USD, $). Universal contactless Apple Pay and chip cards. Standard restaurant gratuity is 18%–20% on final pre-tax total.

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Best Scouting Months

March–May and October–November provide 72°–84°F weather. Avoid July–August for outdoor pedestrian surveys due to peak 100°F+ heat.

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Drinking Water & Health

Municipal tap water is 100% EPA potable conforming to Federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards across Colorado Springs.

Commercial & Entertainment Corridors

Municipal District Verification Pending

Official commercial district boundary mappings and pedestrian retail corridor profiles for Colorado Springs are currently being audited from municipal GIS datasets.

Commercial Establishment Density — Coffee & Snack Shops

Live slippy map with verified coffee shop coordinates across Colorado Springs

balanced

105 existing coffee shops mapped · Click any pin

Existing Businesses

105

US Census ZBP Verified

Density / 10k Residents

2.15

National Benchmark: 2.15

Saturation Index

100 / 100

Bayes Smoothed (m=10k)

Retail Lease Breakeven Underwriting

Determine required customer transaction velocity to cover Colorado Springs retail leases

Store Size (Usable Sq Ft) 1,400 sqft

Base Asking Rent ($/sqft/yr) $42.60 / sqft

Average Customer Ticket ($) $8.50

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS %) 28%

Monthly Operating Overhead ($) $1,200

Utilities, insurance, POS software baseline

Operating Velocity Required

Daily Customers Required

transactions per operating day

Monthly Net Revenue Needed

$22,460

Monthly Fixed Cost (Lease + Labor + Overhead)

$16,170

Stripping 4.40% sales tax and applying 18% payroll burden load.

Colorado Springs NAICS Industry Saturation Benchmark

Empirical Bayes analysis across all 25 core small business categories

Industry / Trade	Active Units	Density / 10k	US Benchmark	Market Status
Coffee & Snack Shops	105	2.15	2.15	balanced
Full-Service Restaurants	332	6.79	6.8	balanced
Fast Food Restaurants	352	7.2	7.2	balanced
Bars & Drinking Places	90	1.84	1.85	balanced
Barber Shops	66	1.35	1.35	balanced
Beauty Salons & Hair Studios	166	3.4	3.4	balanced
Nail Salons	103	2.11	2.1	balanced
Fitness & Recreational Gyms	61	1.25	1.25	balanced
Pet Care & Grooming	46	0.94	0.95	balanced
Veterinary Services	51	1.04	1.05	balanced
General Automotive Repair	235	4.81	4.8	balanced
Car Washes & Detailing	32	0.65	0.65	balanced
Coin Laundromats	27	0.55	0.55	balanced
Dry Cleaning & Laundry	42	0.86	0.85	balanced
Offices of Dentists	191	3.91	3.9	balanced
Offices of Chiropractors	68	1.39	1.4	balanced
Physical Therapy Clinics	76	1.56	1.55	balanced
Child Day Care Services	110	2.25	2.25	balanced
Convenience Stores	95	1.94	1.95	balanced
Family Clothing Stores	81	1.66	1.65	balanced
Retail Bakeries	42	0.86	0.85	balanced
Florists & Floral Gift	24	0.49	0.5	balanced
Offices of Lawyers	239	4.89	4.9	balanced
Offices of CPAs	103	2.11	2.1	balanced
Real Estate Brokerages	186	3.81	3.8	balanced

Permits, Taxes & Municipal Friction

Statutory approvals required to open a commercial space in Colorado Springs

Requirement	Status / Timeline	Agency / Fee
General Business License	Exempt / Not Required	No general city business license required. State of Colorado statutory filings apply.
Certificate of Occupancy	Mandatory Prior to Open	$185 standard municipal inspection fee
Commercial Building Permit	~30 Days Review	Development Services Department (DSD)
Combined Sales Tax Rate	4.40% Combined	2.90% State + 1.50% Local

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Colorado Springs Institutional Dossier

Official Site Selection & Relocation Packet · 2026 Edition

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✓ ZCTA Micro-Saturation Heatmap: All 25 NAICS trade counts

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Colorado Springs, Colorado

Traveling to Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Regional / Metropolitan Airport ()

Electrical Outlets & Voltage

Currency & Dining Tipping

Best Scouting Months

Drinking Water & Health

Commercial & Entertainment Corridors

Moving to Colorado Springs

Elevation, Terrain & Climate Normals

USGS 3DEP High-Resolution Elevation

Climate Normals (30-Year Baseline)

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