Car Hire in Colorado

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Colorado, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes benefits that no other company can match:

• Free liability coverage starting at US$ 300,000 in case of an accident (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your hire period
• Premium travel medical assistance providing up to US$ 150,000 in coverage for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of a medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this comes at no extra cost, ensuring a fully protected car hire experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Colorado.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Colorado are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in Colorado charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

At Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado's main gateway, there are no hire car counters inside the terminal. All major brands operate from a consolidated hire car centre that requires a mandatory shuttle ride.

• After collecting your baggage, follow the "Hire Car Shuttles" signs to Level 5, Island 4 of the Jeppesen Terminal (east side doors 505-513, west side doors 504-512)
• Shuttles run every 5 to 10 minutes and take you directly to the hire car lots
• At the lots you complete paperwork, inspect the vehicle, and drive out via Pena Boulevard to I-70 or I-25
• Over 10 hire companies share this Colorado facility, and some (such as Enterprise) offer self-service kiosks to speed up the process

Many Colorado DEN counters operate 24 hours, though some shuttle services pause between roughly 12:30 AM and 3:30 AM, so confirm your provider's hours if you have a late-night arrival. Allow extra time during ski season, when the facility is busiest.

Colorado uses a fully cashless toll system, meaning there are no cash booths anywhere on the state's toll network. The main toll roads you are likely to use include:

• E-470: a 47-mile beltway looping around the Denver metro area, commonly used when driving to or from Denver International Airport
• I-25 Express Lanes: approximately 7 miles between US-36 and downtown Denver, with variable pricing of roughly US$0.50 to US$5.00 per trip depending on time of day
• US-36 Express Lanes and the Northwest Parkway, both near Denver

All Colorado toll roads use overhead cameras that photograph licence plates. If your hire vehicle has a registered ExpressToll transponder, you pay the lower transponder rate. Without one, the system bills via Licence Plate Tolling (LPT) at a higher undiscounted rate.

At the Colorado hire counter you can enrol in the agency's toll programme (typically US$11 to US$25 per day for unlimited use, or pay-per-use with an administrative fee added per toll event). If you skip the programme, the hire company will still receive the LPT invoice and pass the toll charges plus processing fees to your credit card after the hire ends.

Both options are available in Colorado, and the right choice depends on your plans.

Hiring at Denver International Airport (DEN) offers:

• Larger fleets with more vehicle classes, including AWD and SUVs suited for Colorado mountain roads
• 24-hour availability at many counters, convenient for late arrivals
• Direct highway access via Pena Boulevard to I-70 westbound towards the ski resorts
• No extra transfer needed from the airport, though airport concession fees (up to 13.54% of the base rate) and a Customer Facility Charge (roughly US$4.50 to US$7.50 per day) apply

Hiring at a centre in downtown Denver offers:

• Rates that can be 20 to 30% lower because airport concession fees do not apply
• Brands such as Enterprise, Budget, Alamo, Hertz, and Avis all operate off-airport Colorado locations
• You will need to travel from DEN to downtown first, which adds 25 to 40 minutes of driving (longer during Friday ski-season traffic on I-70)
• Smaller fleets, so popular vehicle classes may sell out faster

If you plan to head straight to the Colorado mountains after landing, the airport location is usually the more practical choice despite the higher fees.

Yes, every booking includes Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Colorado hire.

This benefit is especially useful in Colorado because the E-470 beltway near Denver, the I-25 Express Lanes, and the US-36 Express Lanes are all fully cashless and charges can accumulate quickly, particularly if you are driving between Denver International Airport and the mountain resort areas.

To claim your Colorado toll cashback:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a toll receipt or statement showing the charges paid

The refund is processed to the same payment method used for your booking and typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted, so keep your Colorado toll receipts and submit promptly after your trip.

For winter driving in Colorado, a standard saloon is adequate on major highways and interstates, but it is not sufficient if you plan to drive mountain passes or access ski resort areas.

Colorado's terrain and weather create conditions unlike most other U.S. states:

• High alpine passes such as Independence Pass, Kebler Pass, Cottonwood Pass, and Boreas Pass close seasonally, typically from November through May, and can close without warning during storms
• Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park can accumulate over 20 feet of snow and is closed for extended periods each winter
• I-70 through the Colorado mountains is subject to avalanche risk and sudden closures, especially on weekends during ski season
• Gravel and unpaved sections are common on many Colorado mountain passes even in summer

For mountain driving in Colorado, an SUV with AWD or 4WD and deep-tread tyres is strongly recommended. Rear-wheel-drive vehicles are not suitable for snowy Colorado passes. Before driving, check live road conditions at COTrip.org or dial 511 for Colorado road updates. Always confirm whether your hire agreement permits off-paved-road use before venturing onto gravel passes.

To collect your hire car in Colorado you must present physical, original documents at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

• A valid driving licence in the main driver's name (physical, unexpired, original)
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight tickets (required for visitors arriving from abroad)

If your driving licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original licence. For licences in English or using a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required at most Colorado hire counters.

Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling to Colorado, as U.S. issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-U.S. licence holders. All additional drivers must also be present at the Colorado counter with their own valid licence.

Hiring at Denver International Airport in Colorado adds several fees on top of the base rate. These are set by the airport, the state, and local government, not by the hire company.

• Airport Concession Recovery Fee: up to 13.54% of the base hire rate
• Customer Facility Charge (CFC): approximately US$4.50 to US$7.50 per day, usually capped at a maximum per hire
• Colorado state hire car tax: roughly 2% to 5% depending on the location
• Denver local sales tax: up to 8.81%
• Resort area surcharges: if you hire in Summit County or similar Colorado resort areas, additional tourism surcharges of 5% to 10% may apply

Combined, these Colorado airport fees and taxes can add 20% to 40% above the advertised base rate. Your booking confirmation will show which items are included in your prepaid rate and which are due at the Colorado counter. Review the "To pay at destination" section carefully before arriving so there are no surprises at collection.

Colorado has several driving rules that differ from neighbouring states and that directly affect hire car drivers.

• Cell phones: texting is banned for all drivers. Handheld phone use is banned only for drivers under 18. Adult drivers may use a handheld device, though hands-free is always safer
• Right turn on red: permitted after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it, consistent with most U.S. states
• Speed limits: the maximum on rural Colorado interstates is 75 mph. Watch posted signs carefully because limits drop significantly on mountain sections of I-70 and other Colorado highways
• Lane filtering for motorcycles: Colorado legalised motorcycle lane filtering in 2024, allowing motorcycles to ride between stopped traffic under specific conditions. Be aware of this when stopped in Colorado traffic
• Wildlife on roads: mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, and deer frequently cross Colorado roads, especially at dawn and dusk. Sudden stops are common

Colorado's mountain terrain also means steep grades, sharp bends, and sudden weather changes. Avalanche and rockslide warnings are posted on I-70 and other Colorado mountain corridors. Always check COTrip.org or dial 511 before driving through high-altitude Colorado passes.

Yes, most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable when driving Colorado's remote mountain roads and high-altitude passes far from urban centres.

Coverage typically includes:

• Travel and medical insurance for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This benefit is particularly relevant in Colorado because breakdowns or accidents on mountain passes such as Trail Ridge Road or along I-70 can leave you far from the nearest town. Having legal and medical assistance available 24 hours a day provides important peace of mind in those situations.

To reach assistance at any time, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: this benefit applies only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this coverage. Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and limits that apply to your Colorado hire.

Returning your hire car at Denver International Airport in Colorado is straightforward if you follow the signs and prepare in advance.

• Follow "Hire Car Return" signs from I-70 or Pena Boulevard to your provider's designated lot within the consolidated hire car centre
• Record the final mileage and fuel level before leaving the vehicle
• Depending on your provider, either drop the keys in a key box, leave them on the dashboard (Enterprise), or hand them to an agent
• After dropping off, take the shuttle back to the Jeppesen Terminal from the same Island 4 shuttle stop used for pickup

For after-hours returns in Colorado, most providers at DEN offer 24-hour key drop. Enterprise allows you to leave keys on the dashboard and an agent closes the agreement. Budget operates 24 hours but note that its shuttle service pauses between approximately 12:30 AM and 3:30 AM.

Refuel before returning: top up within roughly 10 miles of the Colorado hire car centre so the gauge does not drop before you arrive. Keep your fuel receipt as proof of a full tank. Returning below the recorded starting level will result in a refuelling charge plus a service fee from the Colorado hire partner.

Yes, drivers aged 21 to 24 hiring a car in Colorado are subject to a daily young-renter surcharge on top of the base rate. The minimum age to hire without any surcharge in Colorado is 25.

Typical daily surcharge amounts by brand in Colorado:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per hire day plus taxes, capped at US$65 plus taxes per hire
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per hire day plus taxes, capped at US$189 plus taxes per hire
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day plus taxes, with no stated cap

In addition to the surcharge, most Colorado hire partners restrict vehicle classes for under-25 drivers. Economy, Compact, Intermediate, and Compact SUV categories are generally available, while Full Size, Premium, Luxury, Minivan, and large SUV classes typically require the driver to be at least 25.

One exception: if you are aged 21 to 24 and hold a passport from Latin America or the Caribbean, certain Avis and Budget rates booked through Hola Car Rentals waive the underage fee for eligible vehicle categories in Colorado. Check your booking confirmation to see if the waiver is shown.

Two separate types of cover are relevant for your Colorado hire, and they protect different things.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) covers damage to the hire vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation shows zero excess. CDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.

Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving in Colorado. Not all U.S. states require hire companies to include state-minimum liability, and Colorado is among the states where this is not guaranteed. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding Liability Insurance Supplementary (up to US$300,000) to your Colorado booking.

Key exclusions to be aware of in Colorado:

• Tires, wheels, and undercarriage damage are often excluded from standard CDW
• Off-road use on Colorado's many gravel mountain passes may void CDW cover, so confirm permitted use before driving unpaved roads
• Only drivers named on the hire agreement are covered

Review your booking confirmation to confirm which covers are included in your Colorado rate before arriving at the counter.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Colorado hire, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a daily fee paid at the counter.

The additional driver must be present at the Colorado hire counter at collection with their own valid driving licence. If their licence is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet, they will also need an International Driving Permit.

If the additional driver fee is not included in your rate, typical Colorado counter charges are:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per day plus taxes, capped at US$65 plus taxes
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per day plus taxes, capped at US$189 plus taxes
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day plus taxes

For Avis, Budget, and Payless Colorado locations, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by CDW, LDW, and liability protections while driving in Colorado. If someone not on the contract drives the vehicle, all cover may be void.

Check your booking confirmation for the line "Additional driver free of charge" to confirm whether the fee is already included in your Colorado hire.