On July 3, 2009, Preissing was traded by the Kings, along with Kyle Quincey and a fifth-round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Ryan Smyth. Preissing missed training camp and the start of the 2009–10 season having a scope on his right knee. After a conditioning stint with Colorado's AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, Preissing made his Avalanche debut in an 8–2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on November 14, 2009. On November 29, 2009, after playing in four games with the Avs, Preissing was placed on waivers and reassigned back to the Monsters. Despite leading the Monsters defense with 31 points in 49 games, his considerably large contract meant he was placed on waivers for the purpose of a buy out of his final year from the Avalanche on June 30, 2010.