David Heisler

A Denver mailing address does not automatically mean the property is inside the City and County of Denver. USPS says ZIP Codes do not necessarily adhere to city or municipal boundaries, and the city name in the mailing address is simply an acceptable mailing name for that ZIP Code.

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.