David Heisler

So the practical difference isn’t just length of stay. It’s also the difference between a more hospitality-style operation and a more traditional landlord-style operation. And in Denver, it’s also the difference between two separate licensing frameworks.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what counts as a short-term rental in Boulder, what “principal residence” means, what the city requires before you can list, and what alternatives may make more sense if the property doesn’t qualify.

Unlike Denver, where short-term rentals are tied to a host’s primary residence, Fort Collins allows both primary and non-primary short-term rentals — but only in certain mapped areas, and only if the property meets the city’s licensing and property-type rules.