In recent years, the issue of affordable workforce housing has become increasingly pressing in Summit County, Colorado. The situation has only worsened since the onset of COVID-19, further intensifying challenges for local employees. Many businesses attribute ongoing worker shortages to the scarcity of available housing, raising concerns about a potential shift in the county’s unique character if employees are forced to live elsewhere. Since 2018, stakeholders across Summit County have been actively discussing solutions to address this housing shortage. In response, local government entities have dedicated significant time and resources to exploring and implementing measures aimed at alleviating the crisis. One of the key outcomes of these discussions has been the adoption—or consideration—of new regulations concerning short-term rental (STR) licenses.
Unlike some resort towns with high-rise hotels accommodating large numbers of visitors, Summit County has maintained strict building height restrictions. While this preserves the charm of the mountain community, it also means that alternative lodging options, such as short-term rentals, play a crucial role in supporting the tourism industry. Recognizing this, local governments are experimenting with STR policy changes, striving to strike the right balance between preserving tourism revenue and creating more housing opportunities for the local workforce. As a result, regulations are evolving rapidly. For those considering purchasing property in Blue River with the intent of offering short-term rentals, my goal is to provide an up-to-date informational resource to navigate the changing STR landscape.
The towns of Blue River, Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, and Silverthorne each have clearly defined boundaries, and their short-term rental (STR) regulations apply only to properties within their respective limits. However, many homes near these towns are actually located in unincorporated Summit County, where STR rules can vary significantly depending on the property's exact location. Because of this, it's crucial to determine which local government oversees a specific property before proceeding with short-term rental plans.
How to Check a Property’s Jurisdiction
If you're unsure whether a property falls within a town’s limits or is part of unincorporated Summit County, you can easily verify it using the Summit County GIS tool:
Visit the Summit County GIS website.
Accept the County disclaimer.
Enter the property address in the search bar.
When the property details appear, look at the bottom-left corner of the page under "Jurisdiction."
This section will confirm whether the property follows the STR rules of Blue River, Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, or Silverthorne, or if it is instead governed by unincorporated Summit County regulations.
Understanding the correct jurisdiction ensures compliance with the appropriate STR rules and avoids potential legal issues.
As an incorporated town with its own municipal code, Blue River has established specific regulations governing short-term rentals (STRs). According to Chapter 6, Section 6-1-20 of the Blue River Town Code, a short-term rental is defined as:
"The rental, for any form of compensation, of a dwelling, dwelling unit, accessory dwelling unit, or portion thereof to a specific person or group for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days. Short-term rentals are considered an accessory, ancillary, and subordinate use to the primary residential function of the property. This definition does not include commercial hotels or motels."
Short-Term Rentals Under 30 Days
If you plan to rent out your Blue River property for any period of less than 30 consecutive days, you are required to:
Obtain a short-term rental license from the Town of Blue River.
Comply with all STR regulations set forth by the town.
Follow operational guidelines when listing your property on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and others.
Even a single rental under 30 days requires compliance with these rules.
Rentals of 30 Days or Longer
If you only intend to rent your Blue River property for periods of 30 consecutive days or more, these short-term rental regulations do not apply to you. In this case:
No STR license is required from the Town of Blue River.
Your rental is categorized as a long-term rental, which is actively encouraged to support local workforce housing.
Summit County and the Town of Breckenridge even offer incentives for homeowners who lease their properties long-term to local employees.
At present, no new restrictions or regulatory changes are being considered for long-term rentals in Blue River.
The Town of Blue River has established regulations requiring all short-term rental (STR) property owners to secure a valid STR license. The initial application fee for a new license is $200, with an annual renewal fee of $150. All STR licenses expire on December 31st each year and must be renewed through re-application, as automatic renewal is not available.
Blue River enforces an occupancy limit of two guests per bedroom, plus an additional two guests per rental unit to ensure compliance with local housing policies.
The Blue River Board of Trustees (BoT) reviewed short-term rental policies during their retreat in August 2021 and continued discussions in September. At that time, 18% of properties in Blue River held STR licenses. In November 2021, a work session was held where town staff presented data on STR activity, which remains available on the town’s website. Additionally, Blue River introduced a Good Neighbor Policy to promote responsible rental practices. While the BoT has expressed interest in forming a long-term strategy for STRs, no formal regulatory changes have been decided yet.
Currently, Blue River has no restrictions on the number of STR licenses issued. The town continues to accept and process new applications without any imposed caps or moratoriums.
As of now, there are no restrictions on the number of nights a property can be rented as an STR in Blue River. Owners are free to rent out their properties throughout the entire year without limitation.
If you have questions about real estate in Blue River or how STR policy changes might impact your buying or selling decisions, feel free to reach out to Ivete for expert assistance.
Whether working with buyers or sellers, Ivete Liliensteins provides outstanding professionalism in making her clients’ real estate dreams a reality. Contact her today to start your home searching journey!