Credit Union of the Rockies Is Handing Out $300 for a Checking Account — If You Live in the Right Colorado County

Most bank bonuses ask you to jump through hoops and then nickel-and-dime you with monthly fees along the way. This one from Credit Union of the Rockies is refreshingly straightforward — no maintenance fee, a modest direct deposit threshold, and a flat $300 payout. The catch? You have to actually live or work in the right part of Colorado. Here's the full picture so you can decide whether it's worth your time.

What You Actually Have to Do for the $300

The requirements here are about as clean as bank bonuses get. Open a new checking account, route at least $500 a month in direct deposits into it, and run five purchases through the CUR Visa debit card during your first 90 days. Then just leave the account open and in good standing for 90 days, and the $300 lands in your account.

Worth noting: the direct deposit has to be a qualifying one. Payroll deposits are the safest bet. If you're planning to push money over from another bank via ACH, check with the credit union first — some institutions code peer-to-peer transfers differently, and a miscoded deposit can quietly disqualify you.

• Open a new Credit Union of the Rockies checking account
• Set up a recurring direct deposit of $500 or more per month
• Make five debit card transactions within 90 days
• Keep the account open and in good standing for 90 days

The Colorado County Catch

This is where a lot of people get filtered out before they even start. Membership is restricted to folks who live or work in Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Grand, Jefferson, or Summit County. If you're in the Denver metro proper, you're probably out of luck unless your employer happens to sit in one of those counties.

The "or work" language is the useful part. If your job is based in one of those counties, you may qualify even if your home address is elsewhere. It's worth a quick call to confirm how they verify employment before you spend time on an application.

No Monthly Fee Means No Slow Leak

A lot of checking bonuses come attached to accounts that quietly drain $10 or $12 a month unless you hit a balance threshold. That's not the case here — the In Touch checking account carries no monthly maintenance fee. So once you've earned the bonus, you're not bleeding value while you decide what to do next.

The one fee to keep on your radar is the $25 early closure charge. Close the account inside 90 days and you'll pay it. Since the bonus itself requires you to stay 90 days anyway, this mostly matters if you're the type to grab a bonus and bolt.

Is This Better Than the Old Referral Offer?

The credit union previously ran a $150 referral bonus that skipped the direct deposit requirement but came with some hefty hoops to clear for the full amount. This $300 offer requires more upfront effort — you do need that recurring deposit — but the payout is double and the terms are easier to follow.

For most people who can meet the deposit threshold, this is the stronger play. If you can't easily redirect $500 a month in payroll, the math gets murkier, since you'd be shuffling money around just to satisfy the requirement.

Things to Watch Out For

A few practical notes before you apply. The offer is described as available for a limited time, so don't sit on it if you're interested. Accounts are subject to approval, and the credit union can modify or withdraw the promotion at any point.

Also, this bonus can't be stacked with other promotional offers. And remember that the $300 counts as taxable income — you'll likely get a tax form for it, and it's on you to report it properly. It's not a huge deal at this amount, but don't be surprised when the paperwork shows up.

• Confirm your direct deposit codes as a qualifying deposit before relying on it
• Don't close the account before day 90 or you'll eat the $25 fee
• Set a calendar reminder for the 90-day mark so you don't forget to follow up on the bonus
• Expect a tax form for the $300 and plan accordingly

Bottom Line

• $300 for a new checking account with no monthly fee is a solid return for relatively light requirements
• The county restriction is the biggest hurdle — verify your eligibility before applying
• Five debit card purchases in 90 days is easy to knock out in a single week
• Keep the account open past 90 days to dodge the $25 closure fee and lock in the bonus

Common Questions