9 Best Banks in Colorado: Find the Best Fit Now

1. Chase

Chase runs 107 branches in Colorado, and it will pay you $400 to open a checking account. That is the largest new-checking bonus any major bank is offering right now, and it is money most Coloradans leave on the table by keeping the account they opened years ago.

Here is the entire requirement. Open a new Total Checking account, then have $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits arrive within 90 days of enrolling in the offer. It is cumulative, so two or three ordinary paychecks clear it, and the bonus is paid within 15 days of you meeting the requirement. The $15 monthly service fee drops to $0 in any statement period with $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits, a $1,500 daily beginning balance, or $5,000 in average beginning day balance across linked accounts. One trap to know: Zelle, cash, checks, wires and interest do not count toward either number.

Past the bonus, the footprint is the argument. 107 Colorado branches plus 5,000+ branches and 14,000+ ATMs nationwide means you can deposit cash near home and still use the account anywhere you travel. Zelle is built in, the mobile app is well rated, and you can add a Chase savings account or credit card later under the same login.

The catch worth naming: the bonus is only open to people who are not already Chase checking customers, and you can collect one new-checking bonus every two years. It is reported to the IRS on a 1099-INT. If that fits you, open a Total Checking account and route your paycheck to it.

If you want the biggest checking bonus on the market alongside a real Colorado branch network, claim the $400 with Chase here.

2. Current

Denver rent, a mountain gas tank and one surprise repair can swallow a paycheck. The gap between when a bill is due and when your paycheck lands is where most budgets actually break, and it is the specific problem Current is built for.

The signup math is simple. Open an account with promo code WELCOME75 and get $75 once your Eligible Payroll Deposits total $1,500 or more in your first 35 days. It is cumulative rather than one big deposit, it is new customers only, and the cash arrives about 10 business days after you cross the line. Recurring wages from an employer, a payroll provider or a government payer count. Non-direct-deposit ACH transfers, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, Google Pay, mobile check deposits, cash and one-off deposits such as a tax refund do not.

The feature that earns its keep after the bonus is Paycheck Advance, which lets you draw up to $1,000 of pay before payday and is offered by Finco Advance LLC rather than a bank. There is no monthly fee on the account, and the whole thing opens from your phone, which is the point in a state where the nearest branch may not be convenient.

One thing to be clear about, because it is routinely written up wrong: Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services come from Choice Financial Group and/or Cross River Bank, both Member FDIC, so deposit insurance reaches you on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 and depends on those conditions being met. If that structure is fine with you, open an account with code WELCOME75 and claim the $75.

3. Wells Fargo

Coloradans trust Wells Fargo for its exceptional service and wide availability, with branches and ATMs throughout the state, including in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. 

The Everyday Checking account is ideal for managing daily finances, and new customers can earn a $325 bonus. Simply open an account with a $25 minimum deposit, meet the $1,000 direct deposit requirement within 90 days, and enjoy the reward. 

Wells Fargo offers advanced online banking tools, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and strong customer support. The $15 monthly fee is easily waivable through direct deposits or other qualifying activities. 

4. Bank of Colorado

Bank of Colorado was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Fort Collins. This bank hosts over 40 locations across the state and operates in eight other states. 

With Bank of Colorado, you can open a free checking account with a minimum balance or monthly fees. However, the savings account APY rates can’t compete with those offered by online-only banks. 

Bank of Colorado also deals in business banking and loans for home, auto, and personal use. Students can choose between the Growth, Diamond Secure, and Interest Checking accounts for various perks. 

5. High Country Bank

Headquartered in Salida, High Country Bank owns five branches in Colorado. Though it’s one of the smallest banks on our list, this bank doesn’t skimp on financial products and services. 

Choose from several free or low-cost checking and savings accounts, credit cards, real estate loans, and CDs. High Country Bank also specializes in vacant land loans, which Colorado residents often seek. 

If you own a business, High Country Bank offers commercial checking and savings accounts, real estate loans, commercial lines of credit, and equipment loans. This bank is also active in the community and serves local organizations. 

6. NuVista Federal Credit Union

To qualify for membership, NuVista Federal Credit Union requires that you live or work in one of the following counties: 

• Montrose
• Delta
• Gunnison
• Ouray
• San Miguel

NuVista Federal Credit Union is a community development financial institution (CDFI) with two branches in Colorado. It is a mission-driven credit union that seeks to serve Colorado residents in the communities in which it operates. 

You’ll find several checking and savings accounts at this Colorado credit union, including a second-chance bank account. The Share Savings account is also a good option because you only need $25 to fund it, and there are no monthly fees to worry about. 

7. First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank is headquartered in North Carolina but operates six branches in Colorado. It serves the greater Denver area with several financial products and services. 

You can open several checking and savings accounts with First Citizens Bank. This family-owned bank’s free checking account is an excellent option for managing your money.

First Citizens Bank also offers credit cards, loans, insurance, investment, retirement, and mortgages. Check out First Citizens Bank to see how you can bank better in Colorado. 

8. Ally Bank

Did you know that Ally Bank is one of many online-only banks that let you overdraft? Though avoiding overdrafting your account is wise, covering emergency expenses in a pinch can help ease your stress. 

Ally Bank also offers superior checking and savings accounts. For example, the Interest Checking Account does just that by earning interest on your balances. 

You can also open a savings account and earn a high annual percentage yield (APY) rate. Neither account requires you to maintain a minimum deposit or pay monthly fees. 

Ally Bank also partners with the Allpoint ATM network, which hosts over 55,000 ATMs nationwide. If you have to use an ATM outside this network, Ally reimburses you up to $10 in ATM fees each statement cycle. 

You can access your Ally Bank account online or through the mobile app. You can access services such as online account statements, Zelle peer-to-peer transfers, mobile check deposits, and an ATM locator. 

9. Alpine Bank

Headquartered in Glenwood Springs, Alpine Bank has almost 40 branches in Colorado. Alpine is most known for its land loans but offers some of the best checking accounts. 

You can open a Liberty or Elite checking account and a Saver’s Choice Money Market account with Alpine Bank. This bank is also part of the Allpoint network of ATMs, which includes over 40,000 ATMs across the country. 

If it’s business accounts you’re looking for, Alpine offers business loans, credit cards, and lines of credit up to $50,000. Alpine Bank also deals in Small Business Administration (SBA) and commercial property loans.