How Much Does a Managed Services Provider Cost in Colorado Springs?
If you’re a business leader in Colorado Springs researching MSP pricing services, one of the first questions you’re likely asking is:
“How much does a managed services provider (MSP) cost?”
It depends on how mature of an MSP you need. But that’s hard to know when you’re trying to budget, compare providers, or avoid costly surprises.
This MSP pricing guide breaks down:
- Realistic managed IT service costs in Colorado Springs
- What actually affects MSP pricing
- Why MSP pricing varies so widely between providers
- How to evaluate MSPs beyond just monthly cost
Whether you’re replacing your current IT provider or hiring an MSP for the first time, this guide will help you make a confident, informed decision.
Who This Pricing Guide Is For
This article is written specifically for Colorado Springs businesses with 15–250 employees, with the most common fit being 15–250 employees.
Managed IT services are typically a strong fit for organizations in industries like:
- Manufacturing
- DoD & Aerospace
- Healthcare
- Construction
- Financial & Accounting firms
- Legal
- Other professional service organizations
These businesses are technology-dependent, face security or compliance pressures, and need IT to be reliable, secure, and aligned with business growth.
Smaller organizations that are not heavily dependent on technology (such as small dental offices or car dealerships) may not need full managed services and often prioritize low-cost, reactive IT support instead.
MSP Pricing in Colorado Springs (2026 Guide)
In 2026, most businesses in Colorado Springs can expect managed IT services pricing to fall within this range:
$100–$250 per user, per month
That’s a wide range and for good reason.
Two companies paying vastly different prices are almost never receiving the same level of service, security, or strategic guidance.
To understand why, you need to understand MSP maturity levels.
The 4 Levels of Managed IT Service Provider Maturity
(And How They Affect Price & Results)
Level 1: Product-Centric MSPs ($100–$140 per user)
At this level, MSPs primarily sell software tools, such as:
- Patch management
- Antivirus / endpoint protection
- Basic automation
Most services are “set it and forget it.” These providers rely heavily on tools rather than people.
Pros
- Lower monthly cost
- Basic protection and maintenance
Cons
- Minimal strategic guidance
- By nature, slower resolution times
- Reactive support model
This level may work for organizations that simply want issues fixed eventually and are not concerned with downtime, risk, or optimization.
Level 2: Service-Focused MSPs ($140–$180 per user)
This is where most MSPs in Colorado Springs operate today.
Level 2 providers combine solid tools with strong service delivery, offering:
- Responsive help desk support
- Improved communication
- Better consistency than Level 1
Pros
- Better user experience
- Faster issue resolution
- More reliable environments
Cons
- Still primarily reactive
- Limited business alignment
- IT strategy may be informal or inconsistent
At prices below ~$150 per user, MSPs often struggle to staff senior talent or invest in proactive roles because most resources are consumed by day-to-day support tickets.
Level 3: Strategic MSPs with vCIO Services ($180–$220 per user)
Level 3 MSPs go beyond IT support and focus on business outcomes.
These providers introduce Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) services, helping businesses:
- Align IT strategy with growth, risk, and compliance goals
- Plan budgets and technology lifecycles
- Reduce long-term IT costs through proactive planning
Pros
- Clear IT roadmap
- Improved security posture
- Fewer recurring issues
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
- Requires leadership engagement
Level 4: Fully Aligned, Business-Driven MSPs ($220–$250+ per user)
Level 4 MSPs operate as a true extension of your leadership team.
At this level:
- IT is fully aligned to business goals
- vCIOs have strong business acumen
- Teams use automation and digital labor to reduce friction
- The MSP’s Proactive roles outnumber reactive ones
Pros
- Minimal downtime
- Predictable costs
- IT becomes a competitive advantage
Cons
- Not appropriate for small or low-tech businesses
This level is designed for organizations that view technology as a strategic lever, not just an expense. This is often where mid-sized, compliance-driven organizations see the biggest ROI.
What Actually Affects MSP Pricing?
While MSP maturity is the biggest factor, several other elements influence cost:
- Number of Supported Users
Most Colorado Springs MSPs price per user, not per device. Users drive complexity, access control, security exposure, and support demand.
- Co-Managed IT Environments
If you have internal IT staff handling Tier 1 or Tier 2 support, MSP pricing may be adjusted to reflect shared responsibilities.
- Security & Compliance Requirements
Industries like healthcare, aerospace, and government contracting require:
- Advanced security controls
- Documentation and audits
- Incident response planning
Higher compliance requirements increase MSP workload and cost, but also reduce risk. A compliance standard like CIS Controls, NIST, HIPAA and CMMC are the best way to measure how secure your company is. Don’t try to “reinvent the mousetrap”.
What Should Be Included in Managed IT Services?
A legitimate managed services agreement should feel like you’ve hired an entire internal IT department, not just a help desk. And as such, you should not fear being nickeled-and-dimed.
Typically included:
- Business-hours support
- User onboarding and offboarding
- After-hours maintenance
- Best-practice configurations
- User training
- Ongoing system management
This approach prevents nickel-and-diming and creates predictable costs.
What’s Commonly Excluded (and Often Overlooked)
Many MSPs bill separately for:
- After-hours emergency support
- One-time projects (new PCs, office moves, migrations)
Items buyers often assume are included, but usually aren’t:
- Backup & Disaster Recovery
- Microsoft 365 licensing and online services
Microsoft’s own service agreements confirm that you own your data and you’re responsible for protecting it.
One-Time Costs to Expect When Switching MSPs
Most Colorado Springs businesses should expect:
- Onboarding fees
- Environment assessments
- Required hardware or software upgrades
These investments allow the MSP to properly support and secure your environment.
The Biggest “Surprise Costs” Businesses Encounter
The most common frustration comes from:
Low monthly fees followed by frequent charges for “out-of-scope” work.
This usually happens when buyers focus on what is included — without clarifying what isn’t.
Cheap vs. Expensive MSPs: The Real Tradeoffs
Lower-Cost MSPs
- Appear to offer strong value
- Often understaffed
- Long resolution times
- Poor communication
Higher-Cost MSPs
- More proactive roles
- Dedicated security professionals
- vCIOs and senior engineers
- Faster resolution of complex issues
Premium MSPs invest in preventing problems, not just responding to them.
When Highest Value Managed IT Services Doesn’t Make Sense
Paying for premium services may not be appropriate if:
- Your business is not technology-dependent
- You only need reactive issue resolution
- You see IT strictly as an expense
- Your company is very small
This is why many strategic MSPs set a minimum user count, often around 15 users.
Colorado Springs MSP Market: Local MSP Pricing Insights
Managed IT services in Colorado Springs tend to be slightly less expensive than Denver or large metro areas, largely due to:
- Lower cost of living (10–15% lower than Denver)
- More SMB-focused market
- Strong government contractor presence
Local businesses value:
- Personalized service
- Local accountability
- Compliance support
How to Compare MSPs Beyond Monthly Price
Before comparing MSP pricing, business leaders should ask:
- How many staff are dedicated to proactive roles?
- How is IT strategy aligned with our business goals?
- Do we receive a documented IT roadmap?
- Who owns cybersecurity and long-term planning?
- Can you show examples of improved business outcomes?
The Tie-Breaker Question
Ask each MSP:
“What risks are we accepting by choosing you, and what risks are we avoiding?”
Mature providers can answer this clearly.
Final Takeaway for Colorado Springs Businesses
Managed IT services pricing only makes sense when you understand:
- MSP maturity levels
- Scope of responsibility
- Risk ownership
- Strategic alignment
Choosing the lowest price often increases total cost, risk, and frustration over time.
“Choosing the right MSP pricing model for your business helps you run your business better, not just keep computers running.”
How does Stepping Forward Technology price their MSP Services?
To learn more about our priceing, check out our MSP Pricing page.
