Guides
Rental SUVs parked at a Colorado mountain overlook among golden fall aspens

Colorado Car Rentals: Denver Airport, AWD and Ski Towns

Most Colorado trips start with a rental car at Denver International Airport (DEN). This page covers which car to get for the season, what Colorado's traction law requires, and how to compare rental companies in one search.

Main pickup
Denver Int'l Airport (DEN)
Winter (Sept–May)
AWD/4WD or winter tires on I-70
DEN → Vail / Breck
About 2 hours (no traffic)
DEN → Aspen
About 3.5–4 hours by road

Updated October 11, 2026 · We may earn a commission

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Rental cars for Colorado

Prices are rough typical estimates for Denver Airport pickups, not quotes. Actual prices depend on dates, season and availability, and the exact model isn't guaranteed; click any card to see live prices on Discover Cars. Photos show generic example vehicles, not the actual car you'll get.

Also compare: Rentalcars.com · Expedia Cars · Turo (peer-to-peer)

Picking up at Denver International Airport

DEN's rental companies are in off-airport lots. Free shuttle buses leave from Level 5 of the terminal (Island 4 on the east and west sides). Give yourself an extra 30–45 minutes for the shuttle and the counter, and more on Friday afternoons and Saturdays in ski season. Downtown Denver and Colorado Springs (COS) have rental offices too, and COS is worth checking if you're going to Pikes Peak.

Smiling traveler holding car keys beside a silver rental SUV with snowy Rocky Mountain peaks behind
Comparing companies in one search usually beats booking with a single brand.

Do you need AWD or 4WD in Colorado?

Most rental companies won't guarantee a specific model, and many standard rental tires are all-season, not winter tires. If winter driving is important to you, choose an AWD/4WD category and check the tire policy before you pay.

Colorado's traction law (Code 15)

From September 1 to May 31, CDOT can switch on the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law for I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison and for other mountain highways. While it's on, your vehicle needs tires with at least 3/16-inch tread that are M+S, mountain-snowflake or winter tires; or 4WD or AWD (still with 3/16-inch tread); or chains or an approved alternative. Drivers who don't comply can be fined, and the fines are much larger if they block traffic. Check current conditions at COtrip.org and the rules at CDOT before you go.

One-way rentals to ski towns

Picking up at DEN and dropping off in a mountain town can be handy, but one-way fees can be steep and mountain locations have small fleets and short hours. Compare that with an airport shuttle if you won't need a car in town: Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone and Aspen are all walkable with free local buses.

How to save on a Colorado rental

SUV driving a snowy Colorado mountain pass beside ski slopes and snow-covered pines
Winter mountain driving: give yourself extra time on I-70 on weekends.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a 4WD rental car in Colorado?

Not in summer for paved roads. From September to May, an AWD/4WD vehicle or one with proper winter or M+S tires is strongly recommended for mountain driving, and Colorado's traction law may require it on I-70 and other highways.

What is the Colorado traction law?

From September 1 to May 31, CDOT can require vehicles on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison and other mountain highways to have tires with at least 3/16-inch tread that are winter, M+S or mountain-snowflake rated, or to be 4WD/AWD, or to carry chains or an approved alternative.

Where do I pick up a rental car at Denver airport?

DEN's rental companies are off-airport. Free company shuttles leave from Level 5 of the Jeppesen Terminal, Island 4.

Can I rent a car at DEN and return it in a ski town?

Often yes, but one-way fees can be high and mountain locations have limited cars and hours. Compare against a shared or private airport shuttle.

How far are the ski resorts from Denver airport?

Roughly 2 hours to Breckenridge, Keystone or Vail without traffic, and about 3.5–4 hours to Aspen by road. Weekend ski traffic and storms can add hours.

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