2013 would also see Rapids' Homegrown Player, 19-year-old Shane O'Neill, become a valuable member of the US U-20 National Team leading up to and during the 2013 U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
Forward Conor Casey, Midfielders Edu and Joseph Nane, Defenders Tyson Wahl, Hunter Freeman, and Luis Zapata, and Goalkeeper Ian Joyce all had their options declined.
Midfielder Jamie Smith's contract also expired, however, he returned to the Rapids' preseason training camp and then was re-sign by Colorado.
The Rapids' added several players during the offseason via trade, including Forward Atiba Harris from Vancouver Whitecaps FC for a 2015–2016 International Roster Spot.
Colorado also traded their 1st Round 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft pick to the LA Galaxy for US International Forward Edson Buddle.
Cummings narrowly missed being reunited with fellow 2010 Cup Champion, Macoumba Kandji, who had been traded to Houston the previous year.
The following day, the Rapids drafted Forward Deshorn Brown (6th overall), Midfielder Dillon Powers (11th overall from Chicago), and Defender Kory Kindle (25th overall).
Dillon Serna was signed as the Rapids' 3rd Homegrown Player in the lineup, joining US Youth International Shane O'Neill and Davy Armstrong.
On January 25, Colorado announced the signing of Cameroonian Youth International Charles Eloundou on a one-year loan from AS Fortuna de Mfou in Cameroon.
After several weeks of training with the club during the summer, US Youth International Conor Doyle tried to sign with Colorado on loan from Derby County in England.
The Rapids had initially been excited about the return of Pablo Mastroeni, agreeing to play on more season after missing almost all of 2012 with concussion symptoms.
During the Rocky Mountain Rivalry matchup at Real Salt Lake, Matt Pickens suffered a broken forearm in the 3rd minute of the game.
The injury would allow 23-year-old Chris Klute, on loan from the Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL), to step in and solidify the back line.
On March 28, Colorado traded Andre Akpan to the New York Red Bulls for a conditional pick in 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
April began with Colorado's first win of the season, 1–0 over Real Salt Lake at home with Atiba Harris scoring his first Rapids' goal.
The Rapids would make it 2 straight wins the next week after defeating Chivas USA 1–0 in LA on rookie Deshorn Brown's first goal.
The streak came to an end the following game as the Rapids lost to Seattle Sounders FC for a 7th consecutive time, losing 1–0 at home.
On June 17, the Rapids traded long-time Captain Pablo Mastroeni to the LA Galaxy for a 2nd round pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft and an International Roster Spot through the 2014 season.
On August 6, Colorado signed Vicente Sánchez, a veteran of Mexican and German soccer, as an International Player.
On August 8, Colorado signed Gabriel Torres, who was coming off a very successful 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, as the club's first ever Designated Player.
The unbeaten streak would come to an end on the final day of August with a 2–1 defeat at Sporting Kansas City.
The Rapids began September with a 1–0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy, who were missing several players due to international duty.
As a result, Colorado finished 5th in the Western Conference and had to travel to Seattle for the Knockout Round of the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Robbie Keane 58' Michael Stephens 68' Hendry Thomas 67' Jack McInerney 79' Deshorn Brown 37' Dillon Powers 18' Bobby Burling 45' Joaquin Velázquez 52' Djimi Traore 67' Michel 63' Hendry Thomas 49' Chris Wondolowski 49' Sam Cronin 52' Alan Gordon 68' Mehdi Ballouchy 71' Austin Berry 47' Brian Mullan 70' Nathan Sturgis 81' Will Johnson 45' Servando Carrasco 43' Clint Irwin 21' Jaime Castrillón 70' Alvaro Saborio 21' (p.k.)
Steve Purdy 27' Gabriel Farfan 33' Tristan Bowen 63' Martin Rivero 80' Oriol Rosell 70' Edson Buddle 77' Matt Hedges 65' (o.g.)
Source: Major League Soccer Bryan Burke 30' Dominic Dwyer 48' Steward Ceus 56' Includes all competitive matches.