Co-Managed IT vs. Fully Outsourced IT: Which Works Best for Mid-Sized Denver Businesses?

Quick Answer

For many mid-sized Denver businesses (50–200 employees), co-managed IT works best if you already have an internal IT team that needs extra support, while fully managed IT is ideal if you want a partner to handle all IT operations at a predictable cost. The right choice depends on your internal resources, budget, and growth goals.

What Is Co-Managed IT?

• Definition: A hybrid IT model where your internal IT staff works alongside a Managed Service Provider (MSP).
• Best for: Companies with a small IT team that needs help with monitoring, cybersecurity, cloud management, or scaling support.
• Denver example: A law firm in LoDo with two IT staffers uses co-managed IT to offload cybersecurity and compliance tasks.

What Is Fully Outsourced IT?

• Definition: Your IT environment is fully managed by an MSP, including help desk, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and strategy.
• Best for: Businesses without dedicated IT staff or those wanting to reduce costs tied to hiring and training.
• Denver example: A growing real estate firm in the Denver Tech Center outsources all IT to focus on expansion instead of overhead.

Key Differences Between Co-Managed IT and Fully Outsourced IT

How Do You Decide Which IT Model Is Best in Denver?

Ask yourself:

• Do we already have IT staff? → If yes, co-managed IT adds support.
• Do we want to fully offload IT operations? → If yes, fully outsourced IT is better.
• Are compliance and cybersecurity priorities? → Both models can work, but co-managed IT ensures oversight from both internal staff and an MSP.

Local Considerations for Denver Businesses

• Talent shortage: Denver’s competitive tech market makes it hard to hire skilled IT staff — making outsourced IT attractive.
• Industry needs: Healthcare and finance firms often choose co-managed IT for compliance oversight.
• Growth pace: Startups in RiNo or DTC often scale faster with outsourced IT.

FAQs

Do small businesses in Denver really need fully managed IT?
Yes. Many SMBs in Denver do not have internal IT staff. Fully managed IT provides 24/7 help desk support, cybersecurity protection, and reliable coverage without the overhead of hiring an in-house team.

How do Denver SMBs benefit from outsourcing IT instead of hiring in-house?
Outsourcing reduces staffing costs and gives SMBs access to advanced cybersecurity, cloud management, and compliance expertise that is difficult to maintain internally.

What IT services are typically included in fully managed IT for Denver companies?
Most providers include help desk support, cybersecurity monitoring, cloud and infrastructure management, backup and disaster recovery, and IT strategy.

Is fully managed IT scalable for growing Denver businesses?
Yes. Services can expand as companies add employees, new locations, or adopt new technologies.

How do fully managed IT providers in Denver support local industries?

• Healthcare: HIPAA compliance and secure medical systems
• Finance: Regulatory compliance and secure transactions
• Professional services: Remote workforce support and data protection
• Construction and real estate: Cloud apps and mobile workforce tools

Do Denver businesses get faster IT support with a fully managed provider?
Yes. Managed service providers typically guarantee response times through service level agreements, which helps businesses resolve issues faster than relying on a small internal team.

What is the biggest reason Denver SMBs switch to fully managed IT?
The top reasons are reducing downtime, improving cybersecurity, and gaining predictable IT coverage that scales with business growth.

Ready to simplify your IT?

Connect with our Denver IT experts today and discover how fully managed services can keep your business secure and scalable.