🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Arapahoe County, CO
Arapahoe County Opens Public Input on STR Licensing Plan
Two Paths, One Goal: Arapahoe County Eyes STR Licensing Rules
Short-term rentals are officially on Arapahoe County’s radar. County leaders have unveiled a new licensing proposal for STRs in unincorporated areas, giving homeowners and residents a chance to weigh in on how home-sharing will be managed moving forward.
Two competing options are on the table, each with a different vision for balancing neighborhood tranquility with economic opportunity. Option A requires the STR to be the applicant’s primary residence, with no cap on the number of rental days. Option B allows for more flexibility on ownership but limits STRs to 180 rental days per year. Both paths are designed to curb what county officials call “overuse of homes as makeshift hotels” and to keep neighborhoods livable.
Despite the differences, both options share core guardrails:
âś… a local agent available within an hour to address complaints,
âś… compliance with state noise ordinances, strict parking plans, occupancy limits tied to infrastructure capacity, and
âś… adherence to safety codes.
Licensing fees — $200 for new applications and $350 annually for renewals — would fund enforcement and oversight.
Social Listening 🎧: Podcast
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Public feedback is open until October 10, and county officials are encouraging residents to voice their opinions online or in person. A key public hearing is scheduled for October 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Arapahoe Board Room, where the Planning Commission will review community input before sending recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. If passed, the program could take effect by spring 2026, making Arapahoe one of the first large Front Range counties to directly license STRs.
Officials say the push reflects growing pressure from both homeowners and neighbors to bring STRs under clear rules. By laying out two distinct options now, the county hopes to give residents meaningful choices — and avoid the sort of backlash other Colorado communities have faced when imposing blanket restrictions.
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