Colorado Mountain Short-Term Rental Guide
Rules change from town to town and sometimes from one side of the street to the other. Use this guide to see where things stand before you buy.
Last verified: November 3, 2026
Most of our clients ask the same question early on: can I rent this property short-term? The answer depends on who regulates the property, its zone, its HOA and sometimes whether a license is available at all. A Breckenridge mailing address doesn't always mean the Town of Breckenridge regulates the property, so start by finding the right jurisdiction.
Short-Term Rental Rules by Area
| Area | Who licenses it | Current status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breckenridge | Town of Breckenridge | Limited by zone Resort Properties and Zone 1 had no waitlist in the Town's July 2026 update. Zones 2 and 3 are full, with waitlists. | Town availability |
| Blue River | Town of Blue River | Paused News reports say the Town froze new licenses and renewals through December 31, 2026, unless it lifts the freeze sooner. Valid 2026 licenses in compliance are not affected. | Summit Daily and Town STR page |
| Frisco | Town of Frisco | Waitlist Licenses are capped at 25% of housing units. The Town reached its cap in February 2023 and now uses a waitlist. | Town STR page |
| Keystone | Town of Keystone | No cap today The Town has handled licensing since September 30, 2024. All of Keystone is in its Resort Overlay Zone. | Town STR page |
| Silverthorne | Town of Silverthorne | Limited by area Area 1 is capped at 10% of units and Area 2 at 50%. Short-term rentals are not allowed in Area 3 deed-restricted neighborhoods. | Town STR page |
| Dillon | Town of Dillon | License required The Town requires an annual license. Its STR page does not list a cap. | Town STR page |
| Copper Mountain and unincorporated Summit County | Summit County | Basin caps Type II licenses are capped by basin in Neighborhood Overlay Zones, with waitlists in Lower Blue, Upper Blue and Snake River. Copper Mountain owners should also check Resort Association requirements. | County regulations |
| Park County (unincorporated) | Park County | No cap in ordinance The 2026 ordinance has no cap table, but it excludes condos and shared-wall units. The County can add limits by resolution. | County STR page |
| Fairplay | Town of Fairplay | Capped at 20 The Town limits permits to 20 and reports 10 issued. Homes on a well and septic go through Park County instead. | Town STR page |
| Vail | Town of Vail | License required A license is required before advertising or operating. The Town's STR page does not list a cap. | Town STR page |
| Beaver Creek | HOAs and metro districts | Check locally Eagle County chose not to adopt a county STR ordinance, leaving rules with HOAs and metro districts. Properties inside the Town of Avon follow Avon's rules. | County decision |
| Steamboat Springs | City of Steamboat Springs | Limited by zone Zone A has no limit, Zone B is capped by subzone, and new STRs are not allowed in Zone C. Hosted and temporary STRs are allowed in every zone. | City rules |
A license usually doesn't come with the property. Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, Silverthorne and Park County licenses are not transferable, and Keystone and Summit County allow only limited exceptions. If you're buying a home with an active rental history, check what the new owner must do before taking another booking.
How to Check a Property Before You Buy
Confirm who regulates it
Use the town or county map to see whether the parcel is inside town limits.
Check the zone and availability
Look up its zone, the cap and any waitlist. These lists can lag behind current activity.
Read the HOA documents
An HOA can restrict or prohibit short-term rentals even where the town allows them.
Find out what happens at sale
Ask whether the current license ends at closing and whether you would start at the back of a waitlist.
Check occupancy and the property itself
Occupancy can depend on bedrooms, square footage or septic capacity. Parking, trash and life safety rules can apply too.
Budget for fees and taxes
License fees and lodging taxes vary widely, so include them in your numbers from the start.
Have a Property in Mind?
Send us the address and we'll help you find the zone, the licensing office and the HOA rules to review before you make an offer.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Short-term rental rules, caps and fees change, and HOA covenants can be stricter than local law. Confirm the rules for a specific property with the licensing office, and with your attorney or tax advisor, before you buy or book guests.