Lock it, travel, come home
What Is a Lock and Leave Home? Colorado Guide
A lock-and-leave home lets you close up for weeks while the HOA handles snow, yard and exterior.
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The HOA handles it
What does lock-and-leave mean in Colorado?
A lock-and-leave home is one you close up for weeks while the HOA handles snow, landscaping and the exterior. In Colorado that means condos, townhomes, paired homes and patio homes with exterior care in the dues. Attached homes were only 4.4% of Denver-area $1M+ sales in 2025 (DMAR), so the luxury supply is thin.
What does the HOA cover?
- Snow removal on streets, drives and walks. Landscaping and irrigation.
- Roof, siding and exterior paint in many condo and townhome associations.
- Read the declaration. It lists exactly what the HOA maintains and insures.
- Master insurance on the building, with your own policy for the inside.
Condo, townhome or patio home?
- Condo: you own the inside, the HOA owns and insures the building.
- Townhome: you own the unit and sometimes the land under it.
- Patio home: a detached home with yard care in the dues.
- Paired home: two homes share one wall, with yard care in the dues.
Where are lock-and-leave homes on the Front Range?
- Cherry Creek North condos and townhomes in Denver.
- Trailside on Harmony paired homes at Harmony Club, Timnath.
- Heron Lakes villas in Berthoud.
- Anthem Ranch in Broomfield and Regency at Montaine in Castle Rock, both age-restricted 55+.
What is the catch with luxury attached homes?
- Attached $1M+ homes averaged 99 days in the MLS in August 2026, up from 50 a year earlier (DMAR).
- Buyers buy the building: reserves, deferred maintenance and amenities.
- Dues add up. One August 2026 Four Seasons Residences sale carried HOA dues of $6,628 a month (DMAR).
- Ask for the HOA's reserve study and current reserve balance.
Who watches the inside while I am gone?
- The HOA covers the exterior only.
- Hire a home watch service to walk through on a set schedule.
- Leave a key and your contact list with a neighbor or the manager.
- Hold or forward your mail with the Postal Service.
What do I do before I leave for a month?
- Shut the main water valve or install a leak sensor with auto shutoff.
- Set the heat to guard against frozen pipes.
- Read your insurance policy for vacancy rules.
On the map
Where are these luxury areas on the map?
Each numbered pin is a luxury area mentioned on this page. Tap a pin to see homes for sale there.
- 1. Cherry Creek, Denver
- 2. Greenwood Village
- 3. Denver
- 4. Boulder
- 5. Colorado Springs
- 6. Englewood
- 7. Superior
- 8. Golden
- 9. Highlands Ranch
- 10. Littleton
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins show an area’s approximate center.
Homes for sale now
Lock-and-leave condos and townhomes for sale.
Condos and townhomes from $800,000 in Denver, Boulder, Greenwood Village, Englewood, Littleton, Arvada and Superior. Active and Coming Soon listings from REcolorado, the Denver MLS.
Want to see one of these, or a home that is not on the market yet? Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers.
Live prices
What do lock-and-leave condos and townhomes cost in Colorado?
Condos and townhomes that sold for $800,000 or more in the last 12 months, by area. Updated November 10, 2026 from the MLS.
| Area | Median sale | Per sq ft | For sale now | Sold, 12 months | Months of supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek area | $1.34M | $497 | 28 | 73 | 4.6 |
| Greenwood Village | $1.27M | $694 | 8 | 12 | 8 |
| Denver | $1.05M | $456 | 188 | 324 | 7 |
| Boulder | $1.03M | $634 | 59 | 94 | 7.5 |
| Colorado Springs | $1.03M | $321 | 7 | 14 | 6 |
| Englewood | $976K | $334 | 10 | 16 | 7.5 |
| Superior | $960K | $364 | 7 | 13 | 6.5 |
| Golden | $950K | $460 | 3 | 20 | 1.8 |
| Highlands Ranch | $860K | $339 | 3 | 15 | 2.4 |
| Littleton | $852K | $316 | 8 | 22 | 4.4 |
Front Range condos and townhomes over $800,000
Based on information from REcolorado for the period November 10, 2025 through November 9, 2026. Single-family numbers: homes $1,000,000 and up. Condo and townhome numbers are reported separately, from $800,000. Homes for sale as of November 10, 2026; every number in this section comes from the same daily MLS pull. Months of supply = homes for sale now divided by the average monthly sales of the last 12 months.
Read the budget
What do HOA dues usually include?
| Item | Often in the dues? | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Snow removal | Yes | Does it include driveways and front walks, or only the streets? |
| Landscaping and irrigation | Yes | Who replaces dead trees and plants? |
| Roof and exterior paint | Often in condos and townhomes | When were they last replaced, and is the reserve funded for the next time? |
| Master insurance | Yes in condos; varies in townhomes | What is the deductible, and what must your own policy cover? |
| Water, sewer and trash | Often | Is water metered by unit or shared? |
| Pool, clubhouse, fitness | When the community has them | Are there extra fees or guest limits? |
| Concierge or front desk | In some high-rise buildings | What hours, and will they accept packages and hold keys? |
City or mountains
Is a city lock-and-leave different from a mountain one?
| City condo or townhome | Mountain condo or townhome | |
|---|---|---|
| Winter access | Plowed streets; garage parking | Check the road, the plowing schedule and the drive in a storm |
| Rentals while away | Denver allows short-term rentals only in a primary residence | Town, county and HOA rules vary widely; read them before you buy |
| Insurance | Condo (HO-6) policy for the inside | Also ask about wildfire coverage and premiums |
| Getting to the airport | Often under 40 minutes to DIA | Plan for I-70 traffic and winter weather |
Every Colorado home for sale, every price on kennarealestate.com, our main site.
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Quick answers
Questions, answered.
Is a lock-and-leave home always a condo?
No. Townhomes, paired homes and patio homes qualify when the HOA handles the exterior and yard.
Why are luxury condos slower to sell?
Attached $1M+ homes averaged 99 days in the MLS in August 2026 (DMAR). Buyers weigh the building and the dues as much as the unit.
Does lock-and-leave work for a mountain home?
Yes. Many mountain condos and townhomes include snow removal and exterior care.
How much are HOA dues on a lock-and-leave home?
They vary widely. A patio home community that covers the yard and snow costs far less than a high-rise with a concierge, a pool and an elevator. Ask for the HOA budget and the reserve study before you make an offer.
Can I rent out my lock-and-leave home while I travel?
It depends on the city and the HOA. Denver allows short-term rentals only in a primary residence, and many HOAs set minimum lease terms. Read both before you buy.
Sources
Where the numbers come from.
Free playbook
The Colorado Luxury Downsizing Playbook.
Sell the estate, buy the right home, move once. The 12-week plan, the tax and cash questions, the ranch, patio, 55+ and golf communities, and the checklist. 8 pages, free.
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Private consultation
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