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Boulder County, CO Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Short-term license fee
$350 initial, $250 renewal
Vacation license fee
$500 initial, $300 renewal
License term
Two years
Sales tax license
Required or tax-remitting platform
Property taxes
Must be paid current

Summary

License fees are $350 (short-term) or $500 (vacation) for a two-year term. Operators must remit all applicable state and local sales and use taxes and hold a Colorado sales tax license or book only on tax-remitting platforms.

City-specific rules exist: Boulder, and Longmont have their own taxes & fees rules that differ from Boulder County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

All Licensees will be required to remit all applicable taxes for the Licensed Premises, including state and local sales and use taxes.

Source: Boulder County Short-Term & Vacation Rental LicensingView official code

Full Breakdown

Under Section 4.A.10, every licensee must remit all applicable state and local sales and use taxes and either hold an individual Colorado Department of Revenue sales tax license or prove they book only on platforms that remit taxes for them. Property taxes must be current before a license issues. License fees effective March 5, 2024: Short-Term Rental $350 initial / $250 renewal; Vacation Rental $500 initial / $300 renewal, plus a $1,000 Public Health septic Change of Use permit for vacation rentals. Boulder County does not levy a separate county lodging tax on unincorporated rentals; taxes are collected through the sales and use tax system.

Violations & Fines

Advertising or booking on non-remitting platforms without an individual sales tax license is prohibited. Tax and fee non-compliance is an ordinance violation subject to fines and possible license suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Colorado sales tax license?
Yes, unless you advertise and book only on platforms that remit taxes on your behalf. You may not use non-remitting platforms without an individual sales tax license number.
Is there a separate county lodging tax?
Unincorporated Boulder County requires remittance of state and local sales and use taxes rather than a distinct county lodging tax. Check current rates with Boulder County finance.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Boulder County

All Boulder County rules

How Boulder County compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado short-term rentals overview

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