Posted inBusiness, Housing, News

Colorado high country commissioners blast Airbnb report that disconnects short-term rentals from housing crisis

A group of 15 commissioners from seven mountain counties is blasting a recent study commissioned by short-term rental giant Airbnb that dismissed the idea that short-term rentals are eroding worker housing in Colorado’s high country. “Airbnb narrowly focused on positive impacts, and facts appear selected to craft a story that is not entirely true, especially […]

Posted inBusiness, News

What’s Working: Colorado gets closer to pre-pandemic economy as jobless rate falls to 3.7%

Colorado’s unemployment rate is back down to 3.7%, which is where the state was halfway between the Great Recession and the first cases of COVID-19. This implies that people are going back to traditional jobs, perhaps lured by higher wages or employers’ increasing flexibility to allow work-from-home options. But, keep in mind, these numbers don’t […]

Posted inHousing, News

Aspen suspends new home construction permits as it drops the hammer in the name of affordability

Aspen’s city council this week stopped issuing not just short-term rental permits, but permits for all home construction as the city struggles with a critical lack of affordable housing and the increasing use of homes by vacationers.   A moratorium, passed unanimously by emergency ordinance Wednesday night after two meetings in two days, goes beyond suspending […]

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Colorado mountain communities vote “yes” on new short-term rental fees but reject heavier regulation

Colorado voters in several resort communities approved increased fees and taxes meant to squeeze more revenue for affordable housing from short-term rentals. But voters in end-of-the-road Crested Butte and Telluride stopped short of heavier restrictions intended to slow and limit short-term rentals in the tourist-dependent communities. Jim Day, who is retired and lives part time […]

Posted inBusiness, Economy, Housing, News, Politics and Government

Colorado lawmakers shelve proposal to more than triple property taxes for short-term rentals

A group of state lawmakers Wednesday spiked an effort to change the property taxation formula for short-term rentals in Colorado, underscoring the political touchiness of the topic sparking regulatory debate across the state.  In a 5-1 vote, the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy rejected an effort to advance a draft bill that would have […]

Posted inHousing, News, Outsider

A flurry of policy experiments in Colorado serves as “regional laboratory” for regulating, limiting short-term rentals

Winter Park and Breckenridge are offering big incentives to homeowners who convert their short-term rental properties to housing for locals.  A program called “Short-Term Fix” offers homeowners up to $20,000 for converting their Winter Park vacation homes to housing for locals.  The Town of Breckenridge and Summit County last week unveiled a similar program. The […]

Posted inHousing, News, Politics and Government

Property taxes would more than triple for Colorado short-term rental owners under statehouse proposal

Property taxes on short-term rental properties in Colorado would more than triple under a bill drafted by state lawmakers that comes as communities from Durango to Denver grapple with surging numbers of vacation rentals. The proposal would tax vacation homes like hotels and motels, which are subject to a higher assessment, on the days they […]