On July 3, 2009, Quincey was traded, along with defenceman Tom Preissing and a fifth-round pick in 2010, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for left winger Ryan Smyth. In the 2009–10 season, he made his Avalanche debut on opening night in a 5–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on October 1, 2009. Quincey joined Todd Gill to become just the second player to play on the Avalanche after previously appearing for the rival Detroit Red Wings. Quincey again quickly established himself within the re-building Avalanche defence to lead the team in average ice time and to record a career-high of six goals for 29 points in 79 games. On July 2, 2010, he was signed by the Avalanche to a two-year contract extension.