Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does Denver have?
The Census counts 352,593 housing units in Denver for a population of about 713,734 — roughly 2.0 people for every housing unit.
That is the largest of the four Colorado cities with a page here; the next, Colorado Springs, counts 207,078.
Who arranges chimney work on a Denver home?
About 49.1% of occupied Denver homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 50.9% rented.
With 50.9% of occupied Denver homes rented, the person who notices the smell, the stain or the smoke is more often than not a tenant, and the person who authorizes a repair is someone else. Say which you are when you send a request, so the findings reach whoever has to act on them.
Tenure also decides who keeps the paperwork. A Denver chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 49.1% you are on.
Which cities near Denver have their own page here?
Aurora, about 9 miles away, Fort Collins, about 55 miles away, and Colorado Springs, about 62 miles away — measured from Denver.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
Aurora's median build year is 1985 against Denver's 1974, an 11-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Note when the draft is strongest.
- Identify the fireplace type from an accessible label or manual.
What to avoid
- Do not climb onto the roof or enter the chimney.
- Do not alter gas components, venting, or safety controls.
- Do not use a test fire to diagnose the problem.
Possible causes to assess
- Damper or closure condition
- Airflow and pressure differences
- System-specific venting behavior
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Fireplace repair in DenverA few common questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photo?
A photo can document a symptom and help prepare a visit. It cannot confirm concealed conditions or establish that a chimney or fuel-burning appliance is safe.