Moving crew loading a truck in Boulder, Colorado

Movers in Boulder, CO

Labor-only moving — arrange your own truck or we’ll handle the rental. Either way, we do all the loading and unloading. Licensed & insured in Colorado.

Serving Boulder, CO

Affordable Movers in Boulder, CO

Ballard’s is a labor-only moving company based in Colorado Springs. You arrange the truck — U-Haul, Penske, or Budget — or we handle the rental ourselves. Our crew does all the loading and unloading. No full-service markup. No inflated quote. The rate we give you is the rate you pay.

Boulder is one of the most expensive housing markets in Colorado. It’s also one of the most active. The University of Colorado drives constant turnover — students cycling through apartments every semester. Young professionals fill the Gunbarrel tech corridor and North Boulder neighborhoods. Long-term residents hold near the Flatirons until they don’t. The result is a city with high move volume year-round, compressed into tight windows at semester starts, lease expirations, and the summer rush.

No two Boulder moves are the same. The Hill near CU is dense student housing — narrow streets, street parking fights, three-story walkups where every piece of furniture has to clear a tight stairwell landing. Gunbarrel is flat and accessible. The west-side neighborhoods near Chautauqua and the Flatirons bring older character homes: narrower doorways, irregular floor plans, the kind of staircase that requires a plan before anyone picks anything up. We know the difference. We show up ready for the specific property, not a generic apartment move.

Full-service moving companies in Boulder price for the market. A 2–3 bedroom move that a full-service company quotes at $2,500–$3,500 typically costs $700–$1,100 labor-only. Add a truck rental — $19.95–$49.95 depending on size — and that’s the entire bill. In a city where rent already strains most budgets, the difference is material.

We travel from Colorado Springs to Boulder — roughly 100 miles. No drive-time charges, no travel fee added to your bill. We’re licensed and insured in Colorado. The rate is $240 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. What we quote is what you pay.

$240 / hr 2-hour minimum · Our trained movers finish most jobs in 2–3 hours · No surprise charges
Licensed & InsuredIn Colorado
10+ YearsExperience
No Hidden FeesEver
8am – 8pmEvery Day

Local Knowledge

We Know Boulder

The Hill

Dense student housing near CU. Narrow streets, street parking fights, and three-story walkups are the norm — we plan the truck position before we arrive.

High-Density · Multi-Floor

Table Mesa

Established south Boulder with spacious homes and accessible streets. Good truck access makes for clean, efficient moves.

Residential · Easy Access

Whittier

Historic central Boulder with craftsman bungalows and tree-lined blocks. Older homes mean narrower doorways — we navigate them carefully.

Historic · Character Homes

Gunbarrel

Flat east Boulder tech corridor with wide streets and modern complexes. One of the most efficient Boulder moves we do.

Flat · Great Truck Access

What We Do in Boulder

Labor-Only Moving Services

Arrange for a U-Haul or leave it to us — either way, we handle all the heavy lifting. Straightforward labor, no add-ons, no surprises.

Load Only

We pack your truck with precision — furniture padded, items secured, every inch used. You drive, we load.

Unload Only

Already at the new place? We unload, carry everything in, and place furniture exactly where you want it.

Load & Unload

The complete move from A to B. We load the truck, you drive it, we unload at the destination. Done.

Truck & Driver

We bring the truck and a driver at a flat day rate. Same great crew, we handle the wheels too.

Staging & Remodeling

Preparing for a showing or rearranging after a remodel — we move furniture within the home too.

Storage Organization

We load your storage unit efficiently so everything fits, stays protected, and stays accessible.

The Smarter Way to Move

Why Boulder Residents Choose Labor-Only Moving

Boulder is an expensive city. Full-service moving companies there know it and price accordingly — charging for the truck, the fuel, the insurance markup, the drive time, and fees that add up fast. Labor-only moving strips all of that out. Arrange for a U-Haul, Penske, or Budget truck — typically $19.95–$49.95 depending on size — or let Ballard’s handle the rental. Either way, you pay only for the professional crew doing the actual loading and unloading.

For most Boulder moves, going labor-only cuts the total cost significantly. A 2–3 bedroom move that runs $2,500–$3,500 through a full-service company typically costs $800–$1,200 labor-only. In a city where every dollar counts, that’s a meaningful difference — money that goes toward your next month’s rent or your new place’s security deposit, not a moving company’s profit margin.

Boulder sees a high volume of student moves, especially at the start and end of each semester. We do a lot of CU Boulder moves — off-campus apartments, residence hall move-outs, students moving home for the summer and back again in August. We work fast, we know what student housing looks like, and we handle the job professionally regardless of how much or how little you’re moving.

Studio apartment on The Hill or four-bedroom in North Boulder — the model is the same: our experienced crew, your truck, no hidden fees, and no surprises when the job wraps up.

What Customers Say

Reviews from Boulder Customers

“Ballard’s drove up to Boulder for our Table Mesa move and it was worth every penny. Fast, careful, and incredibly professional. Labor-only is the way to go — we saved hundreds and got a crew that knew exactly what they were doing.”
C
Cara N. Boulder, CO
“Moving off The Hill with all the narrow streets and stairs was a challenge but these guys handled it effortlessly. Loaded our U-Haul perfectly and nothing shifted on the drive. Highly recommend for any Boulder move.”
E
Ethan S. Boulder, CO

Common Questions

Moving in Boulder? Here’s What People Ask

Do you serve Boulder, CO?

Yes. We cover all of Boulder — The Hill, Table Mesa, Whittier, Gunbarrel, and surrounding Boulder County areas. If you’re in the Boulder area, we can help.

How much does it cost to hire movers in Boulder?

Labor-only moving is significantly cheaper than full-service. You arrange your own U-Haul, Penske, or Budget truck — or we handle the rental. Either way, our crew shows up and does all the loading and unloading. Most Boulder moves cost a fraction of what a full-service company charges. Get a free quote and we’ll give you an exact number.

Do you charge extra for stairs or long carries in Boulder?

No. Our price covers the labor, period. No stair fees, no long-carry surcharges, no fuel charges. The number we quote is what you pay.

How far in advance should I book a move in Boulder?

We recommend 1–2 weeks, especially for weekend and end-of-month dates. Those fill fastest. That said, contact us for last-minute availability — we do our best to accommodate.

Ready to Move in Boulder?

Get a free quote today. We respond within one business day — or call and we’ll answer directly.