And there are desk fees as well, it costs between $50-100 a month to have your license with a brokerage.

Thank youHI Nate, Coming from a position where you don't have many savings, you have bills to pay and you have a decent job with great benefits I would suggest to find and interview a brokerage that allows you to be an agent part time while showing you the ropes.

@Jim Ferguson, it appears that in your state like in most states that anyone doing property management for someone else must be a real estate brokerage by law.

@nick velez with the one brokerage (David Greene's brokerage)

Do keep in mind though that most Realtors in CO do not conduct property management services and that is primarily because most Brokerage's office policies prohibit it due to the liability. 

Also, Should I have a solid amount of money invested into the stock market via a 401k/Roth IRA/Brokerage account before I dive into RE investing?

This is a common strategy I've personally used and one that I build for my clients.If you do go with the Margin Line strategy, make sure you do your research on brokerages that provide that. 7% is a little high compared to other providers.

Regarding brokerages to hang your license, it really depends on your goals.

I have client's who've also showed 401k statements or brokerage accounts as their reserves.If you're referring to the "reserves" required for taxes and insurance, many times buyers pre fund an impound (aka escrow) account for these, which are paid as closing costs.

You can take loans on your brokerage accounts at some banks too.