Colorado Springs has quietly become one of the most opportunity-rich cities in the Mountain West. Not flashy. Not oversold. Just steady, growing, and full of people who value flexibility and quality of life. That’s exactly why the best side hustles in Colorado Springs look a little different from what works in bigger cities. Less hype. More practicality. More room to actually make money.
I’ve spent time studying what truly works here—not theory, not trends that only apply to Denver or Austin, but real income paths that fit the Springs’ economy, lifestyle, and seasonal rhythm. Whether you’re a military spouse, a remote worker, a student, or a professional looking to pad your savings, there are side hustles here that actually make sense.
Let’s break them down.
Why Colorado Springs Is a Smart City for Side Hustles
Colorado Springs isn’t just growing—it’s diversifying.
You’ve got:
- A large military population
- Strong tourism tied to outdoor recreation
- Rapid housing development
- An influx of remote professionals
- Lower business saturation than major metros
That combination creates opportunity pockets. And that’s where the best side hustles in Colorado Springs live—inside unmet needs, seasonal spikes, and services people gladly pay for because time is more valuable than money.
This isn’t about grinding 80 hours a week.
It’s about stacking smart income streams.
What Actually Makes a Side Hustle Work Here
Before jumping into ideas, it helps to understand what doesn’t work well locally.
Colorado Springs rewards:
- Flexibility
- Service-based skills
- Outdoor and lifestyle alignment
- Recurring or repeat business
It punishes:
- High overhead
- Overly complex models
- Hustles dependent on nightlife or dense foot traffic
If you want something sustainable, keep these filters in mind.
Service-Based Side Hustles That Perform Exceptionally Well
Outdoor Adventure Guide or Assistant
This city breathes outdoors. Hiking. Climbing. Mountain biking. Snow sports.
You don’t need to start as a full guide. Many people begin as:
- Assistant guides
- Trip coordinators
- Gear prep or logistics support
Why it works: Tourists want experiences, not just views.
Action step:
Partner with existing outfitters first. Learn the flow. Get insured later if you go solo.
Handyman & Light Home Services
New builds. Rentals. Busy professionals.
That’s demand.
Common services that book fast:
- Furniture assembly
- Minor drywall repair
- Fence fixes
- Yard cleanup
| Service Type | Avg Hourly Rate |
| Furniture Assembly | $50–$80 |
| Minor Repairs | $60–$100 |
| Yard Work | $45–$75 |
Why it works: Homeowners want speed and reliability more than perfection.
Pet Sitting & Dog Walking
Military families. Travel. Deployments. Long workdays.
This side hustle prints consistency.
Smart niches:
- Long-term pet sitting
- In-home boarding
- Drop-in care during deployments
Action step:
Build trust locally. Facebook groups outperform national apps here.
Airbnb Turnover Cleaning
Short-term rentals are everywhere in the Springs.
And they all need fast, reliable cleaning.
This hustle shines because:
- Jobs are repeatable
- Schedules are predictable
- Tips are common
Pro move: Add linen washing and restocking as upsells.
Remote & Online Side Hustles That Fit the Springs Lifestyle
Freelancing (Writing, Design, Marketing, Tech)
Remote work culture is strong here.
Top-paying freelance skills:
- Content writing
- Web design
- Paid ads management
- SEO consulting
Why it works: Low overhead. Scalable. Location independent.
You can live in the Springs and charge coastal rates.
Virtual Assistant for Local Businesses
Local service providers need admin help but don’t want full-time staff.
Tasks often include:
- Email management
- Scheduling
- Invoicing
- CRM updates
Pricing tip: Monthly retainers beat hourly work.
This is one of the best side hustles in Colorado Springs if you want predictable income.
Online Tutoring & Coaching
The Springs attracts families and students.
Popular tutoring areas:
- Math and science
- Test prep
- College admissions
- Fitness or wellness coaching
Bonus: You can serve clients nationwide while living locally.
Flexible Gig Side Hustles (When You Want Control)
Rideshare & Delivery (Selective Use)
This is not a full-time goldmine here.
But it does work:
- During tourist season
- On event weekends
- Around base-adjacent neighborhoods
Tip: Stack only during high-demand windows.
Task-Based Local Gigs
Apps and local boards offer:
- Moving help
- Assembly
- One-off errands
Strategy: Use these to fill income gaps, not as your core hustle.
Creative & Passion-Based Side Hustles
Photography & Videography
Elopements. Engagements. Family shoots. Outdoor branding.
Colorado Springs is a visual market.
High-demand niches:
- Outdoor couples
- Airbnb listings
- Personal branding photos
Start small: Mini sessions convert well.
Content Creation & Blogging
If you enjoy writing or video, this city offers endless angles:
- Outdoor lifestyle
- Military life
- Local guides
- Wellness
This is slower to monetize—but powerful long term.
Affiliate income + ads + digital products compound nicely.
Handmade & Craft Businesses
Local markets love:
- Nature-inspired art
- Home décor
- Wellness products
Rule: Price for profit, not compliments.
Property-Based Side Hustles (Without Buying Property)
Short-Term Rental Co-Hosting
You don’t need to own property to earn from Airbnb.
Co-hosts handle:
- Guest communication
- Scheduling cleaners
- Restocking
- Issue resolution
Income: 10–25% per property.
This quietly ranks among the best side hustles in Colorado Springs for systems thinkers.
Property Turnover Services
Think beyond cleaning:
- Inspections
- Inventory checks
- Maintenance coordination
Property managers love bundled services.
Side Hustles That Work Especially Well for Military Members & Spouses
Portability matters.
Top options:
- Virtual assistant work
- Freelancing
- Tutoring
- Pet care
- Online businesses
These move with you. Income doesn’t reset every PCS.
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
Here’s the honest range:
| Hustle Type | Monthly Potential |
| Pet Sitting | $500–$2,000 |
| Handyman Services | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Freelancing | $1,500–$6,000 |
| Co-Hosting | $500–$3,000 |
| Tutoring | $800–$2,500 |
Consistency beats scale at first.
How to Start Fast in Colorado Springs
Don’t overthink it.
- Pick one hustle
- Validate demand locally
- Set clear pricing
- Deliver fast and professionally
- Ask for referrals immediately
Local Facebook groups, neighborhood apps, and word-of-mouth outperform ads early on.
Mistakes I See People Make Here
- Underpricing to “get experience”
- Chasing too many hustles at once
- Ignoring seasonality
- Skipping basic contracts or insurance
- Treating side income casually
Professionalism is your unfair advantage.
Final Thoughts: Building Income That Fits Your Life
The best side hustles in Colorado Springs aren’t about hustle culture.
They’re about alignment.
Alignment with the local economy.
Alignment with how people live here and alignment with your time, energy, and long-term goals.
Start small. Build smart. Let consistency do the heavy lifting.
And remember—side hustles don’t have to stay on the side forever.
FAQs
Service-based work like pet sitting, handyman services, freelancing, and Airbnb turnover cleaning perform especially well locally.
Yes, many of the best side hustles in Colorado Springs require minimal startup costs, especially service and remote-based work.
Some are—tourism, outdoor services, and rideshare spike seasonally, while freelancing and virtual work stay consistent year-round.
Absolutely, the city has a strong remote-work culture and reliable infrastructure for online and freelance income.
Portable and flexible options like virtual assistance, tutoring, freelancing, and pet sitting are ideal.
Most people earn between $500 and $3,000 per month depending on time commitment and skill level.
Some side hustles may require basic registration or insurance, especially those involving services or clients’ homes.
Pet care, cleaning services, task-based gigs, and freelancing can often start within days.
It depends—online hustles scale faster, while local services often bring quicker cash flow.
Yes, many of the best side hustles in Colorado Springs can scale into full-time income with systems and consistency.
