Denver Apartment Move Checklist — Everything to Do Before Moving Day

Azuraye Wycoff
Mar 22
3 min read

Denver apartment moves have specific requirements that catches people off guard — especially in high-rises and secured-access buildings downtown. Here's everything to do before moving day.

6–8 Weeks Before Your Move

[ ] Confirm your move-in date with your new building
[ ] Request a copy of the move-in requirements from building management
[ ] Check whether your new building requires a certificate of insurance from your movers
[ ] Check whether your old building requires advance notice before your move-out date
[ ] Book your moving company — peak season (May–September) books fast

2–4 Weeks Before Your Move

[ ] Reserve the freight elevator at your new building for your move-in time window
[ ] Reserve the freight elevator at your old building for your move-out time window
[ ] Confirm your movers have or can provide a certificate of insurance (COI)
[ ] Check for loading dock or designated move-in area at both buildings
[ ] Start packing non-essential items

1 Week Before Your Move

[ ] Confirm all elevator reservations in writing
[ ] Share building move-in instructions with your moving company
[ ] Pack all boxes and label them by room
[ ] Disassemble large furniture (bed frames, desks, shelving) if possible — this saves time
[ ] Arrange parking for the moving van at both locations

48–72 Hours Before Your Move

[ ] Confirm the move time and crew with your moving company
[ ] Defrost the refrigerator if it's moving with you
[ ] Pack an "essentials bag" — chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes — to keep with you
[ ] Confirm elevator reservation times with building management

Moving Day

[ ] Clear pathways from each room to the front door
[ ] Prop elevator doors open if your building allows it
[ ] Walk through both apartments at the start and end of the move
[ ] Take photos of both apartments before and after for your records
[ ] Check all closets, cabinets, and drawers before leaving

Denver-Specific Building Requirements

Certificate of Insurance (COI)

Many Denver apartment buildings — especially in Downtown, Capitol Hill, LoHi, and RiNo — require a certificate of insurance from your moving company before allowing a move. This protects the building from damage claims.

Small Haul carries full liability insurance and can provide a COI for any building. Request it when you book.

Elevator reservations

Most high-rise buildings in Denver have a single freight elevator designated for moves. You'll need to reserve a specific time window — typically 2–4 hours. These slots go fast on weekends, so book early.

Loading dock vs. street

Buildings with loading docks require you to use them — you cannot park a moving van in a fire lane or on the street in front of the building. Know your building's setup before moving day.

Parking in Denver neighborhoods

Downtown / LoDo — metered street parking or loading zones; arrive early to secure a spot
Capitol Hill — limited street parking; loading zones on some blocks
LoHi — tight residential streets; know the one-ways
RiNo — commercial loading zones available on most blocks

Get a Moving Crew That Knows Denver Buildings

Small Haul Denver coordinates building requirements in advance. We've worked in hundreds of Denver buildings — we know the elevators, the loading docks, and the parking rules before we show up.

Get a free quote →Call: (720) 704-2525