Comprehensive short-term rental guides for 40 markets in Colorado.
18 markets
Colorado
The City of Aspen requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual permit categorized into three types: Classic, Lodge, or Investment. Stricter regulations and a significant STR excise tax (5-10%) were implemented following Measure 2A in 2022.
Short-term rentals in Carbondale are strictly regulated and generally limited to an owner's primary residence, defined as living there at least nine months of the year. Following the passage of Ballot Measure 2A in 2022, hosts must pay a 6% excise tax on all STR bookings in addition to standard lodging taxes.
Silverton regulates short-term rentals via a licensing system capped at 28 permits for non-primary residences. Hosts must collect a combined tax of 12.4% (including the 5% lodging tax passed in 2022) and must pass a fire safety inspection.
The Town of Breckenridge strictly regulates short-term rentals via a three-zone system where neighborhoods (Zone 3) are subject to a hard cap on licenses. All hosts must obtain an annual license, appoint a 60-minute local responder, and collect a total lodging tax of 12.27%.
The Town of Basalt regulates short-term rentals through a tiered licensing system based on whether the property is a primary residence. STRs are capped at 120 nights per year for unhosted stays and are prohibited in most Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and deed-restricted housing.
The Town of Buena Vista requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual license and undergo a safety inspection. The town enforces a cap on non-owner-occupied licenses in certain residential zones to preserve housing stock.
The City of Creede requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual STR license and pay a $500 fee. The city enforces strict life-safety requirements, including mandatory inspections and a 10-person maximum occupancy limit.
Denver strictly enforces a primary residence requirement for all short-term rentals, meaning you can only rent out your main home. Hosts must obtain an annual business license and collect/remit a 10.75% Lodger's Tax, though major platforms typically handle tax collection.
The Town of Telluride strictly regulates short-term rentals through a licensing system that includes a 2.5% STR excise tax and specific caps on licenses in residential zones. Most properties require an annual business license ($165), and deed-restricted affordable housing is strictly prohibited from being rented short-term.
Short-term rentals in the City of Boulder are strictly limited to an owner's primary residence. A biennial license and a safety inspection are required, and the city imposes a 7.5% Accommodation Tax on stays under 30 days.
Short-term rentals in Fort Collins are permitted only in specific zones and generally require the property to be the owner's primary residence in residential areas.
Short-term rentals in the City of Ouray are strictly regulated and subject to neighborhood-specific caps in residential zones. As of 2024, many residential zones have reached their 15% cap, requiring new applicants to join a lottery/waitlist, though commercial zones remain exempt from these caps.
The City of Pagosa Springs strictly regulates short-term rentals through a 15% density cap in residential zones and a mandatory annual licensing process. Hosts must pay a 4.9% city lodging tax and comply with occupancy limits based on bedroom count.
The City of Salida requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual Occupational License and pay both a $500 application fee and a $1,000 annual occupational tax. Ownership is strictly limited to one STR license per person or entity to preserve local housing stock.
Short-term rentals in the Town of Crested Butte are strictly regulated and subject to a town-wide cap on non-primary residence licenses. There are two tiers of licenses: 'Limited' (60 nights max, primary residence only) and 'Unlimited' (no night cap, but subject to quotas and waitlists).
The City of Durango strictly regulates short-term rentals through a licensing system that includes neighborhood-specific caps and mandatory fire inspections. Hosts must collect and remit a 5.25% Lodger's Tax in addition to standard sales taxes, though major platforms now handle some remittance.
Glenwood Springs regulates short-term rentals through a strict permitting process that includes a 525 dollar initial fee and a cap on the number of non-owner-occupied permits allowed in residential zones. In 2022, the city implemented a new 5 percent lodging tax (totaling 7.5 percent local accommodation taxes) specifically to fund workforce housing.
Short-term rentals in the Town of Ridgway are strictly regulated and subject to a town-wide cap (currently 50 for non-owner occupied units). All hosts must obtain an annual STR license, a town business license, and collect a 4% town lodging tax in addition to state and county taxes.
21 markets
Unincorporated Summit County has strictly regulated STRs via a two-tier overlay system: 'Resort' zones have unlimited permits, while 'Neighborhood' zones are subject to strict precinct caps and a 35-night annual rental limit. All hosts must obtain an annual permit and collect a 2% STR Excise Tax in addition to standard sales taxes.
Short-term rentals in unincorporated Eagle County require an annual license and are subject to a 2% County Lodging Tax. The regulations, established in 2022, focus on parking, life safety, and ensuring a local contact is available to respond to complaints within 60 minutes.
Short-term rentals in unincorporated La Plata County require a Vacation Rental Permit and must comply with Chapter 90, Article IV of the Land Use Code. Permits are tied to specific occupancy limits based on septic capacity and require wildfire mitigation and bear-proof trash containment.
Short-term rentals in the Town of Estes Park are strictly regulated under Municipal Code Chapter 5.20 and are subject to an annual license and a residential cap of 500 permits. Hosts must collect a total lodging tax of 7% (5% Town, 2% Marketing District) and adhere to a maximum occupancy of 8 people in residential zones.
Short-term rentals are permitted in Colorado Springs subject to a strict licensing process and density caps for non-owner occupied properties. The city requires a 2% Lodging Tax (LART) and a total combined sales tax of 8.25% on all stays under 30 days.
The Town of Lake City requires an annual Short-Term Rental License and a general Business License for all rentals under 30 days. Regulations updated in 2023 emphasize off-street parking, occupancy limits (max 10), and a 3% local lodging tax.
The Town of Frisco requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual STR license and a sales tax license. Regulations focus on occupancy limits (2 per bedroom + 4) and mandatory health/safety self-certification.
Steamboat Springs strictly regulates STRs through a tiered overlay system that limits or prohibits new licenses in specific residential neighborhoods (Red and Yellow zones). All hosts must obtain an annual license and pay a total city-level tax of 18%, which includes a 9% affordable housing tax passed by voters in 2022.
Short-term rentals in the Town of Vail are permitted but require an annual license and a designated 24/7 local contact. The town imposes an 8.4% local tax (combined sales and lodging) on stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days.
In unincorporated San Miguel County, short-term rentals are regulated under Land Use Code Section 5-24 and require an annual license. Hosts must pay a $600 annual fee, adhere to occupancy limits of 2 per bedroom plus 2, and collect a 2% county lodging tax in addition to state sales tax.
Short-term rentals in unincorporated Grand County require an annual permit and adherence to strict parking and occupancy standards. The county charges a base application fee of $600 and requires hosts to have a local 24/7 contact.
Winter Park requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain an annual STR registration and a business/sales tax license. The town enforces a 1% accommodations tax in addition to a 7% town sales tax, bringing total local taxes to 8%.
Short-term rentals in Keystone require a town-issued license and a general business license, with no caps on the number of licenses available in the Resort Overlay Zone.
Leadville requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual license, with a hard cap of 165 total permits for most categories.
Unincorporated Pitkin County requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain an annual license and adhere to strict occupancy and safety standards. Following the passage of Ballot Issue 1A in 2022, a 5% excise tax is applied to all STR stays in addition to the standard 2% lodging tax.
Unincorporated Routt County requires a Short-Term Rental permit for stays under 30 days. Regulations focus on parking, occupancy limits (max 10), and wildfire defensible space. Hosts must pay a 1.9% county lodging tax in addition to state sales tax.
The Town of Granby requires an annual Short-Term Rental Permit and a business license for all properties rented for periods of less than 30 consecutive days.
The Town of Silverthorne requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual license and undergo a safety inspection. Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, with a cap of 10 people.
The Town of Grand Lake requires an annual Nightly Rental License, enforces a 15% cap on the total number of permits, and mandates a 4% nightly rental tax in addition to sales taxes.
Greeley permits short-term rentals with a required biennial business license and distinct rules for owner-occupied 'accessory' units versus non-owner-occupied 'primary' units.
Copper Mountain is located within Summit County's 'Resort Overlay Zone,' which requires a permit but is exempt from the license caps and night limits applied to other parts of the county.
1 market
Mountain Village requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual business license, appoint a 24/7 local contact, and remit a combined tax of 14.72%.