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Traditional rentals aren't the only way to build income from Colorado real estate. Seven property types outside the standard single-family rental — from industrial warehouses near E-470 to horse properties in Douglas County — generate income with a different risk and management profile than a typical Front Range rental. Each one draws a different buyer, financing path and tenant base, so match the property type to how hands-on you actually want to be before you shop listings.
1. Industrial Warehouses Near Denver's Logistics Corridors
Industrial and warehouse space along I-70, E-470 and I-76 in Adams and Weld counties leases to distribution, cold storage and last-mile delivery tenants on long-term leases of five to ten years with built-in rent escalations. There are several ways to make money when you invest in warehouses, and metro Denver's growth as a distribution hub between Denver International Airport and I-25 keeps vacancy low in this segment.
2. A Cabin in Colorado's High Country
A fixer-upper cabin outside a Front Range mountain town works as a short-term rental once upgraded, drawing weekend guests from Denver and Colorado Springs year-round — ski season in winter, hiking and fishing from April through September. Before buying, check the county's short-term rental licensing rules; they differ by county and change as mountain communities manage growth and housing supply.
3. Mixed-Use Buildings Along Denver's Commercial Corridors
A small mixed-use building — retail or office at street level with residential units above — works well along corridors like South Broadway or in RiNo, where mixed-use building financing has expanded as lenders get comfortable underwriting blended income streams. One property, two income types: commercial rent from the ground floor and residential rent from the units above.
4. Equestrian Farms and Horse Properties
Douglas County, Elbert County and parts of Weld County carry Colorado's largest concentration of horse properties, with stables, paddocks and arena space that command a premium over a standard acreage listing. Income comes from boarding, lessons or training in addition to appreciation on the land itself. Browse Colorado horse properties for sale to see current inventory, and compare against out-of-state listings like farms for sale in Ocala FL to see how equestrian property pricing runs in another established horse market.
5. Self-Storage Facilities
Self-storage in growing Front Range suburbs — Brighton, Frederick, Johnstown — runs on shorter leases than an apartment but carries lower turnover cost and less maintenance than a residential rental. Demand tracks new-home construction: every new subdivision creates a wave of storage need for a few years afterward, since new residents downsizing from a larger home or moving from out of state need somewhere to keep the overflow while they settle in.
6. Gas Stations and NNN Retail
A triple-net (NNN) lease on a gas station or single-tenant retail building along a Front Range corridor hands maintenance, taxes and insurance to the tenant, leaving the owner with close to pure rent. These deals need environmental due diligence — underground storage tanks carry Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reporting requirements — before closing.
7. Land Leases: Billboards, Cell Towers and Solar
A parcel along I-25 or I-70 with billboard, cell tower or solar lease income produces revenue without a tenant to manage. These leases run 10 to 25 years and pay $500 to several thousand dollars a month depending on location and use, with no maintenance obligation for the landowner.
How Do You Finance an Unconventional Colorado Commercial Property?
Warehouses, mixed-use buildings and NNN retail qualify for standard commercial mortgages through a bank or credit union, underwritten on the property's lease income rather than the borrower's income alone. Equestrian farms and cabins finance more like residential or agricultural property, commonly through a local Colorado lender familiar with acreage and outbuilding value. Self-storage and land leases sit in between, and a lender will want to see signed lease terms before quoting a rate on either one.
What Due Diligence Applies Before You Buy?
Beyond a standard inspection, pull the zoning code for the specific parcel, not just the neighborhood, since a warehouse or mixed-use building's permitted use can change block to block along a corridor like South Broadway. For an equestrian property, confirm well and septic permits with the county health department. For a gas station or NNN retail site, order a Phase I environmental assessment before removing any financing contingency. For a land lease, read the existing lease term and renewal options before assuming the income continues past a set date. Skipping any of these four checks is the single most common reason an unconventional deal falls apart after the purchase contract is already signed.
| Property type | Management level | Typical lease length |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial warehouse | Low | 5-10 years |
| Mountain cabin (STR) | High | Nightly |
| Mixed-use building | Medium | 1-5 years |
| Equestrian farm | High | Monthly boarding |
| Self-storage | Medium | Monthly |
| NNN gas station/retail | Very low | 10-20 years |
| Land lease (billboard/tower/solar) | Very low | 10-25 years |
Where to go next
- Colorado Real Estate Investing Guide
- Colorado Horse Properties for Sale
- Rental Property Checklist: How to Buy a Rental Property in Colorado
- Gas Stations for Sale: NNN Property Buying Guide for Colorado Investors
- Should You Invest in a Small Hotel in Colorado
- search every home for sale in colorado
Talk to the Kenna Real Estate Group
The Kenna Real Estate Group sources industrial, mixed-use, equestrian and NNN opportunities across the Front Range and can point you to inventory that fits the management level you actually want, whether that's a hands-off NNN lease or a hands-on equestrian operation. Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree. Or search every home for sale in Colorado.