Financial Assistance

Contact your local Military and Family Readiness Center to create a budget prior to your permanent change of station. Once you arrive at Buckley Space Force Base, financial guidance is offered to those adjusting to the local economy, experiencing money management difficulties or for those who wish to take control of and plan for their financial well-being.

The Personal Financial Management Program at the M&FRC will help you to prepare a personalized spending plan. Information and assistance are also available in areas such as military pay and allowances, consumer fraud, savings, TSP, insurance, car buying, credit card management, retirement planning and more.  

Call us at 720-847-6681 for more information or to make an appointment.

As you calculate your budget for your move to Denver-Aurora, make adjustments for possible cost of living changes.  Most financial experts advocate for the 50/30/20 rule, that is 50% of your budget for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and retirement. That 30% for wants can cover expenses related to eating out, attending concerts, or participating in nature excursions or other hobbies in this amazing city. 

Housing

The 2023 overall cost of living index for the Denver-Aurora area is 12% higher than the national average. The median home cost in Aurora is $481,921. The average cost for a two-bedroom apartment in Aurora is $1,871.  The median home cost in Denver is $554,990. The average cost for a two-bedroom apartment in Denver is $2,334. 

Car Insurance Requirements

Colorado law mandates that auto insurance policies provide the following:

• Bodily injury liability coverage covers you if you cause an accident in which someone else is hurt or killed. Colorado requires limits of $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury commonly expressed as "25/50.”
• Property damage liability coverage covers you when you damage someone else’s property. Usually it’s someone else’s car, but it could apply to buildings, utility poles, garage doors and other physical property. Colorado requires a limit of $15,000 per occurrence.
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage covers medical and other expenses when you are hit by a driver without adequate auto insurance. In Colorado, insurers are required to offer UM/UIM in the same amount as the bodily injury liability limits you select. UM/UIM can be waived only if it’s rejected in writing. You may select limits starting at $25,000/$50,000 same as Colorado's minimum liability limits on up to the same amount of liability coverage you purchase on your own policy. Most people choose to carry UM/UIM because it can cover your economic damages, such as medical bills, as well as some non-economic damages should the person who hit you be uninsured or underinsured. Colorado’s State Legislature passed a law effective Jan. 1, 2008, requiring an expansion of UM/UIM.
• As of Jan. 1, 2009 Colorado insurers are required to offer you $5,000 in medical payments coverage. You must opt out or the coverage and premium will automatically be added  whether you’re buying a new policy or renewing one. You can choose not to buy Med pay or purchase a different amount, but if you don’t want it you must reject it in writing or in the same way you buy insurance for example over the internet or telephone. The new law also requires your insurer to hold $5,000 of your medical payments coverage for 30 days to pay for trauma bills first.

Check with your auto insurance carrier for specific requirements.  Be aware that Colorado car insurance premiums may be calculated on several factors including your credit score.