Short-Term Rentals must be the owner's or tenant's primary residence, occupied more than six months per year, though the host may be absent up to 45 nights annually. Whole-home Vacation Rentals (owner absent) are separately capped and zone-restricted.
Ordinance 2023-02 defines a Primary Residence as the dwelling in which a person resides more than six months each calendar year. A Short-Term Rental is a primary residence rented while the host is present, or absent for up to 45 nights per year; applicants must prove primary residence with a Colorado driver's license or ID plus a yearly Sworn Statement of Primary Residence. Vacation Rentals are the non-owner-occupied whole-home category, allowed only in Forestry and Mountain Institutional zones and subject to a 3.5% cap. If a vacation rental goes unused more than 45 days for two consecutive years, the county may convert it to a short-term license.
Falsifying the Sworn Statement of Primary Residence or exceeding the 45-night host-absence allowance for a short-term license is a violation, subject to fines and possible license revocation.
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