CSS vs Other Companies

CSS vs. National Storage Companies: What Sets Us Apart

With nearly three decades in the business, College Student Storage (CSS) has seen national companies come and go. We know the ins and outs of the industry, and we’re here to help you understand the real differences between a trusted local provider like CSS and the large, out-of-state companies that subcontract their services.

The CSS Difference

Local vs. Outsourced Service

CSS: A Local, Trusted Business

  • Locally owned and operated in Colorado for 28 years.
  • Licensed and insured in Colorado with proper business credentials.
  • Uses trained employees who are current or former CU Boulder and CSU students.
  • Provides services to all students, both on and off-campus, throughout their college careers.

National Companies: Outsourcing & Uncertainty

  • Based outside of Colorado, subcontracting all moving and storage services to third-party vendors.
  • Many operate without proper business licenses in Colorado.
  • Hire temporary workers through third-party moving companies, often with little to no training.
  • Typically only serve dorm students, ignoring off-campus students or charging extreme fees for service.

What You Can Store

CSS: No Limits on Storage

  • Store almost anything—no need to fit it all in a box
  • Secure indoor storage for furniture, beds, couches, and even vehicles
  • Flexible pickup and delivery options for both short-term and long-term storage

National Companies: Limited Storage Options

  • No storage for furniture, beds, couches, or vehicles
  • Only offer summer storage with limited pickup and delivery dates
  • Furniture storage available—but at steep prices
  • What “Preferred Vendor” status really means

Pricing & Pickup Flexibility

CSS: Affordable & Convenient

  • Lower prices since we handle all services in-house
  • Affordable rates thanks to our Colorado-based operations
  • Multiple pickup and delivery dates available for most schools
  • Special pickups offered for $75–$250, based on location
  • Customers can drop off or pick up items directly at our warehouse

National Companies: Expensive & Inflexible

  • Higher storage rates due to third-party moving costs
  • Increased prices from paying schools to be preferred vendors
  • Limited pickup and delivery date options
  • Special pickups cost $500–$700 outside their set schedule

Customer Support & Communication

CSS: Reliable, Real-Time Support

  • Provides phone and email support, especially during busy seasons.
  • Direct access to our team for immediate assistance.

National Companies: Outsourcing & Uncertainty

  • Difficult to reach by phone—many only offer email support.
  • No way to directly contact the people handling your belongings.

Where Is Your Stuff Being Stored?

CSS: Secure & Nearby Warehouses

  • Owns and operates three warehouses in Boulder and Fort Collins, all within 7 miles of campus.

National Companies: Unknown Storage Conditions

  • Customers have no idea where their belongings are actually stored.
  • Items are packed into non-climate-controlled units, putting them at risk.
  • Some companies have left boxes outside all summer, leading to water damage, dirt buildup, and vermin infestations.
  • If these companies don’t have employees in Colorado and use third-party movers, where are they really storing your things?
  • They hide behind fine-print disclaimers to avoid responsibility for lost or damaged items.
Several people are loading or unloading a yellow moving truck parked outside brick buildings, with many cardboard boxes and some carts scattered on the ground under a sunny sky. - Colorado Student Storage

The Truth About “Preferred Vendor” Status


Why Isn’t CSS a Preferred Vendor at Denver University, Colorado College, or Regis University?

National storage companies pay colleges to become “preferred vendors,” shutting out trusted local businesses. Schools don’t properly vet these companies, allowing unlicensed businesses to operate illegally on campus. These national companies secure contracts with flashy presentations and big payouts—not because they provide better service, but because schools profit from these deals.

Some of these companies have been caught operating without the necessary licenses, yet colleges continue to partner with them. One major example is Campus Storage, which operated illegally in Colorado for five years before being investigated by the state. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) fined them $8,000 last year for running without the required licenses. Even after this, Colorado College, University of Denver, and Regis University still have contracts with them, prioritizing financial gain over student security.

Who Loses with Preferred Vendor Contracts?

Students & Families Pay the Price

    • Higher costs, fewer services, and limited pickup/delivery options
      Why pay more for less? These companies offer higher prices, fewer services, and limited flexibility.

    • No transparency about who’s handling your belongings or where they’re stored
      You deserve to know where your items are and who’s in charge of them. Transparency should be a given.

    • “Preferred Summer Storage Vendor” doesn’t mean they’re the best
      Being listed as the school’s preferred vendor just means they paid to be the only option the school tells students and parents about.

    • Local Businesses Get Shut Out
      Colorado College, University of Denver, and Regis University claim to support local businesses, yet they don’t partner with local moving/storage companies. Ask them about it directly. Here are the administrators behind these decisions:

    • Even CU Boulder’s food courts are dominated by national chains
      National brands dominate because they can afford CU Boulder’s expensive “pay to play” contracts, leaving no room for local vendors.

      Four young people stand by a truck unloading boxes. Three are wearing red shirts and shorts, one in a white long-sleeve shirt. One holds a box overhead while the others hold or stand near boxes on a sunny day outside a brick building. - Colorado Student Storage
      A large CSS moving truck is parked outside a brick building as a group of people load or unload boxes. The truck advertises college student storage and moving services with a phone number and slogan. - Colorado Student Storage

      Who’s Legal & Who’s Not?

      Don’t just take our word for it—check for yourself. The Colorado PUC regulates the moving industry in the state. To verify if a company is legally operating in Colorado, visit:

      🔗 PUC Permit Search

      CSS has been fully licensed and compliant for 28 years. Many national companies are not even registered in Colorado.

      • Squirrel Box has been operating in Colorado without the proper moving licenses for 5 years
        Despite operating in the state for years, Squirrel Box only received notice from the PUC this winter that they’ve been non-compliant with licensing requirements.

      • Storage Scholars is not registered for moving in Colorado
        Although their website claims to offer full moving and storage services, Storage Scholars is not registered to perform moving operations in the state.

      Bottom Line: Why Choose CSS?

      Before choosing a storage provider, ask yourself: Who do you trust with your belongings? With CSS, you always know who’s handling your stuff—and where it’s stored.

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      Locally owned & operated in Colorado.

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      Licensed, insured, and trusted for nearly three decades.

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      Stores everything—including furniture and vehicles.

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      Flexible pickup & delivery with affordable pricing.

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      Transparent, secure storage locations near campus.

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