Flooring across Colorado
Ten cities, ten different housing stocks, and ten different answers to the same question. Every figure here is that city's own Census number.
Oldest housing stock first
Median year built and the share of homes predating 1940, by city, alongside the surrounding county. The gap between the two columns on the right is the story in half these places.
| City | Median year built | Built before 1940 | County median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo | 1965 | 21.2% | Pueblo County — 1974 |
| Denver | 1975 | 16.9% | Denver County — 1975 |
| Lakewood | 1977 | 2.7% | Jefferson County — 1980 |
| Boulder | 1977 | 7.5% | Boulder County — 1986 |
| Arvada | 1979 | 1.3% | Jefferson County — 1980 |
| Aurora | 1985 | 1.0% | Arapahoe County — 1986 |
| Colorado Springs | 1986 | 5.3% | El Paso County — 1989 |
| Longmont | 1991 | 4.8% | Boulder County — 1986 |
| Fort Collins | 1992 | 4.6% | Larimer County — 1993 |
| Thornton | 1997 | 0.3% | Adams County — 1991 |
Housing figures for this page: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25034 and B25035.
Pick your city
Each page covers that city's housing stock, what it does to a floor, and installed cost ranges adjusted for regional labor.
Why the city matters more than you would think
Pueblo’s median house was built in 1965. Thornton’s was built in 1997. But housing age is the smaller story in Colorado — at altitude the air does more to a floor than the era of the subfloor does.
Boulder splits internally: a prewar core near the university against a large 1970s expansion, 7.5% predating 1940 overall. It is also the priciest labor market in the state, which moves an installed quote more than the housing age does.
Questions people actually ask
Why do hardwood floors gap in Colorado?
Dry air. Colorado sits near 30% relative humidity year-round and indoor air in winter often drops below 20%. Wood releases moisture into dry air and shrinks across the width of each board, which opens gaps at the seams. Holding the house in the 30-40% range through winter is what keeps it in check.
What moisture content should hardwood be at installation here?
Roughly 6-9% around Denver, against 10-13% at lower elevations. A floor installed to a national spec sheet is usually too wet for this climate and shrinks over the first heating season. Ask the installer what they targeted and what they measured on site.
Does a flooring contractor need a license in Colorado?
There is no statewide license for flooring or general contracting in Colorado - it is handled locally, and requirements differ between Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora and every other jurisdiction. Ask which local registration they hold, then check insurance, references and a written contract.
Is engineered hardwood better than solid at altitude?
Often yes, and here that is a technical argument rather than a sales one. Engineered wood is more dimensionally stable across a large humidity swing, which is exactly what a Colorado year delivers. Solid hardwood still works, but it wants tighter humidity control.