Real Estate Investing in Cotopaxi, Colorado (81223)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Fremont County • Population: 2,175 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81223 (Cotopaxi, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 41.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Cotopaxi, CO (81223)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $376,938
Avg Monthly Rent $1,665
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $42,534
% Renters 7.7%

Market Analysis: 81223 Cotopaxi

The 81223 ZIP in Cotopaxi, CO is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $377K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $377K asset, 81223 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 81223's metrics run below Fremont County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 81223 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. durable returns are possible in 81223, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Cotopaxi:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 48/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,665/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 81223

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$137,443/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $253,819 $1,410 4.0% +4.9% $253,819
2BR $344,262 $1,850 3.9% +8.2% $172,131
3BR $412,328 $2,370 4.1% +8.0% $137,443

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$397K$346K$294K$243K$192K$140KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81223 Compare?

Metric 81223 Cotopaxi Colorado
Home Value $376,938 $376,938 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.5% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,665 $1,665 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 81223? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 81223 (Cotopaxi, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 81223 (Cotopaxi, CO)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $376,938
Monthly Rent $1,665
Price-to-Rent 18.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 7.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
41.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81223

Population: 2,175

💰 Median Household Income
$42,534
This area
$42,534
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
7.7%
This area
7.7%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.8%
This area
19.8%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
62.3 years
This area
62.3 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
41.3%
This area
41.3%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.4%
Other/Mixed 2.5%
Black/African American 1.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.4%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
6.3%
This area
6.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
44.7%
This area
44.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.5%
This area
10.5%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 81223

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
10.2:1 Avg Class Size
$20,596 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Cotopaxi Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
80 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,596 Per Student
A Very Good

Cotopaxi Junior-Senior High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
87 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,596 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of market is Cotopaxi, CO for investors?

Cotopaxi, CO reports an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $377K and average rents around $1,665/mo. That combination puts it in the substantial tier for investor interest.

How deep is the rental pool in Cotopaxi, CO?

Tenant demand in Cotopaxi, CO is solid. The local workforce $1,665/mo rents across most rental classes.

What do rentals go for in Cotopaxi, CO?

Investors in Cotopaxi, CO typically see rents near $1,665/mo per month against $377K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

What strategy should investors use in Cotopaxi, CO?

The best-fit strategy in Cotopaxi, CO is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

What are vacancy rates like in Cotopaxi, CO?

Cotopaxi, CO vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

You know 81223 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 81223 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 81223 ranks in Ca-¦on City, CO

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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