Idaho Springs, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Idaho Springs, CO and Clear Creek County. However, it's important to understand that Idaho Springs is a municipality within Clear Creek County, and regulations may differ between the city and unincorporated county areas. The provided content covers Clear Creek County's regulations for unincorporated areas, which would apply to properties outside Idaho Springs city limits.

For properties within Idaho Springs city limits, you would need to contact the city directly for specific municipal regulations. This guide provides the county-level framework that investors need to understand for the broader Clear Creek County market, including areas surrounding Idaho Springs.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Idaho Springs?

Idaho Springs hosts earn a median $36,251/year with $302 ADR and 49% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $56,538+ per year.

See the full Idaho Springs market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Step 1: Determine Your License Type

Clear Creek County offers three types of STR licenses:

Standard License (Non-Primary/Abesent)
- For properties you do not use as your primary residence
- Subject to availability caps (see capacity limits below)
- Currently has a waiting list
Primary Resident - Seasonal
- For your primary residence (used at least 9 months per year)
- Allows renting the entire home
- Maximum 120 days per one-year license period
- Not available for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Primary Resident - Occupied
- For your primary residence (used at least 9 months per year)
- Allows renting a portion of your home while you live there
- Can be used for permitted ADUs where you live on the property

Step 2: Understand Capacity Limits

For 2025, Clear Creek County has implemented strict caps:

Maximum 4.5% of total residences in unincorporated areas can receive Non-Primary Resident STR Permits
With 3,606 residential units total, this means only 162 permits are available for 2025
All Absentee Permits are spoken for 2025 - there's currently a waiting list with 22 properties
Existing permits in good standing have priority to renew

Step 3: Application Process

Contact the Short-Term Rental Manager at (303) 679-2436 to begin the process
Complete application forms through the GovBuilt platform
Submit $500 application fee for waitlist placement (for Standard License)
Wait for invitation to apply when permits become available

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Building Safety Requirements

Building Safety Inspection required for all STR licenses
Self-Certification Checklist must be completed
Chief Building Official inspection to verify safety items
See the Building Safety Inspection Checklist for specific requirements

Legal Compliance Documents

Evidence of legal water supply (well permit if applicable)
Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Permit if using septic
Sales Tax License for tax collection and remittance
Compliance with Colorado Division of Water Resources Guideline 2016-1 (especially for ADUs)

Licensing Requirements

STR License through Clear Creek County
Sales and Lodging Tax registration with Colorado Department of Revenue
Compliance with local zoning regulations

Good Neighbor Guidelines

Must follow Clear Creek County's Good Neighbor Guidelines
Adequate off-street parking required
Adequate garbage disposal systems required
Fire protection measures for outdoor fire pits/grills
Maximum 8 guests per rental (additional guests allowed on larger parcels under specific conditions)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Primary Residence Definitions

Clear Creek County defines primary residence as:

Used and occupied as principal place of residence at least 9 months each calendar year
Owner must own the residence, hold controlling interest in owning entity, or be trust beneficiary
Subject to residency verification procedures

Occupancy and Usage Limits

Standard License: Subject to overall cap of 162 permits for 2025
Primary Resident - Seasonal: Maximum 120 rental days per year
Primary Resident - Occupied: Can rent portions while living on property
Guest Limit: Generally 8 guests maximum

Prohibited Structures

The following cannot be used as STRs:

Yurts, tents, and tent-type structures
Primitive structures
Recreational vehicles and campers
Temporary structures
Hotels/motels and bed and breakfast establishments

Water and Sewer Requirements

Legal water supply must be demonstrated
Proper sewage disposal method required
ADUs must comply with Colorado Division of Water Resources Guideline 2016-1
Unsuitable or undocumented systems may require upgrading or replacement

Tax Obligations

Collect and remit lodging and sales taxes to Colorado Department of Revenue
Must obtain sales tax license
See Tax Information for Short Term Rentals for detailed requirements

Enforcement and Compliance

Active Enforcement

Clear Creek County rigorously enforces regulations against unauthorized STRs

Code Enforcement actively investigates complaints
Submit concerns through the online reporting system
Unauthorized operation treated with "highest level of seriousness"

Recent Regulatory Updates

Ordinance 19 adopted December 17, 2024, replacing previous regulations
New administrative rules implemented October 2025
Enhanced residency verification procedures for primary residence licenses
Clear prohibition, denial, and revocation standards established

Residency Verification Process

For primary residence licenses:

Formal concern must be submitted with property address and basis
Anonymous concerns not investigated
Owner notified by phone/email
30 days to provide proof of local residency
Proof includes: Credit/debit statements showing local purchases from trailing 3 months
Decision within 10 business days of document submission
Appeals process available within 10 business days
Limited to one verification per property per 12-month period

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Clear Creek County Strategic and Community Planning Division

Physical Address: 1111 Rose Street, P.O. Box 2000, Georgetown, CO 80444
Phone: (303) 679-2436
Fax: (303) 569-1103
Short-Term Rental Manager: Available at above phone number

General County Contact

Clear Creek County Main Office

Address: 405 Argentine Street, P.O. Box 2000, Georgetown, CO 80444
Phone: (303) 679-2300

Online Resources

STR License Application: Available through GovBuilt platform
License Lookup Tool: clearcreekcounty.govbuilt.com/licensed-entities
Interactive STR Map: ccc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/585b0f5b17f04842adf48be9c018c43d
Report a Concern: clearcreekcounty.govbuilt.com/report-a-concern
County Forum: forum.clearcreekcounty.us/the-future-of-short-term-rentals-in-clear-creek-county

Links to Source Pages

Important Note: This guide is based on Clear Creek County regulations for unincorporated areas. For properties within Idaho Springs city limits, contact Idaho Springs city hall directly to verify municipal requirements, as they may have additional or different regulations that could impact your STR investment strategy.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Idaho Springs

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains just west of Denver, Idaho Springs is a small historic city in Clear Creek County, Colorado, with a population of roughly 1,700 residents. The town has the look and feel of an old Colorado mining settlement, with brick storefronts lining a single main street that follows the rushing waters of Clear Creek. It is best known for its geothermal hot springs, its gold-rush heritage, and its role as the eastern gateway to the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway. Located about 30 miles west of Denver along Interstate 70, Idaho Springs feels a world away from the Front Range suburbs yet remains an easy day trip or weekend escape for Denver-area travelers.

Just up the hill from downtown, the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway begins its climb from Idaho Springs and ascends to the 14,000-foot-plus summit of Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans), making it one of the highest paved roads in North America. Drivers encounter alpine tundra, bighorn sheep, and panoramic views of the Continental Divide, with the journey from town to the top taking roughly an hour and a half depending on weather and traffic. The road is typically open from late spring through early fall, drawing photographers, cyclists, and sightseers from across the region. More information is available on the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway Wikipedia page.

In the heart of town, Indian Hot Springs offers a collection of naturally heated mineral pools, hot tubs, and a historic vapor cave, all fed by the same geothermal source that put Idaho Springs on the map in the 1800s. Guests can soak in terraced outdoor pools, slide down a small water slide, or book a private tub, and the resort sits within walking distance of the city's restaurants and shops. It functions as a year-round draw, especially appealing in the colder months when steam rises off the outdoor pools against a snowy mountain backdrop.

A short drive east of the city center, the Argo Gold Mine and Mill allows visitors to step into the area's mining past with underground tunnel tours led by costumed guides. The site preserves headframes, mill buildings, and mining equipment that illustrate the techniques used during Colorado's gold rush era, and tours typically last about an hour. A few minutes to the west along I-70, the historic mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume offer railroad museums, a narrow-gauge tourist train, and well-preserved Victorian storefronts that complement a day of exploring the Clear Creek corridor.

Idaho Springs is a natural fit for short-term rental owners because it packages Colorado mountain character with quick access from Denver, year-round attractions, and a walkable downtown. Visitors arrive for the hot springs in winter, the scenic byway in summer, the fall foliage along Clear Creek, and the proximity to ski areas, rafting, and mining history, giving the city a steady flow of guests in every season.