Joe Colborne left his hometown Calgary Flames to sign with the Avalanche, but that’s like leaving his birthplace for where he grew up. The former University of Denver star is beginning his second move from Calgary to the Mile High City, shopping for a residence this week after competing in the Pioneers’ annual pro camp at Magness Arena.

“It’s honestly just a nicer version of Calgary,” Colborne said of Denver. “It’s warmer and the weather is great. And there’s so much to do. In Calgary, it’s great, but it can get a little slow sometimes. Denver always has something going on.”

Still sporting his Flames’ pants, helmet and gloves, Colborne is one of a handful of NHL players at this week’s camp. He was joined Tuesday by Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov, one of the few new teammates he has met. Colborne will meet with Avalanche trainers and equipment personnel in the ensuing days.

“It’s such a family here, especially around DU with the guys. You come back and it’s like you never left,” said Colborne, who finished his two-year stint at DU in 2010. “We’re going to have fun (with the Avs). It was obviously one of the main selling features — there were other offers, great offers — but this is my second home. And with the group of guys we have, it’s going to be exciting.”

Colborne, 26, signed a two-year, $5 million contract with Colorado hours after free agency opened July 1. He scored a career-high 19 goals and 44 points last season for Calgary, but the Flames didn’t qualify him as a restricted free agent, leading to his unrestricted status. Colborne was drafted by Boston in the first round (16th overall) in 2008 before his freshman season at Denver. He signed with the Bruins after a 39-game sophomore season when he led DU with 22 goals.

Colborne never played for the Bruins, who traded him to Toronto during his first full professional season. He played only 16 games over three seasons for the Maple Leafs until finding a secure and successful NHL home in 2013 in Calgary, where he was born. Colborne played in 80, 64 and 73 games the past three seasons with the Flames, producing a combined 37 goals.

He played center or wing on Calgary’s top two lines last season and figures to play the same role with the Avs.

“They’ve mentioned they want me to play with some of their skill guys and bring a size and a net presence and puck control,” Colborne said of the Avs. “That’s what I was given the opportunity down the stretch at Calgary and I had some really good results. Hopefully I can pick up where I left off.”

Colborne wants to entrench himself in the Denver community. But that doesn’t mean he will buy a place. He said there are so many former Pioneers who own homes in the area and play pro hockey elsewhere, so he might rent.

“Whatever I do I want to find a place this week,” he said. “I know the area well enough.”