🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Buena Vista, CO
Buena Vista Hits Pause on STR Licenses as Policy Review Begins
STRs in the Spotlight: Buena Vista Hits Reset
Buena Vista’s Board of Trustees has hit pause on short-term rentals (STRs), approving a moratorium on new licenses until September 2026. While trustees insist this is only a temporary measure, the move raises serious questions about property rights, economic vitality, and the town’s future.
Carly Winchell
During public comment, resident Jordan Euler delivered a powerful reminder: government exists to protect freedoms, not restrict them.
“Citizens shouldn’t have to ask permission to use their own property,” Euler said, warning that regulations risk turning ownership into a privilege instead of a right. Realtor Clark Hess added a pragmatic voice, cautioning that stricter rules could leave homes empty and downtown quieter. “Tourists spending money here is a better compromise than homes sitting dark,” he argued.
The trustees say this pause is about reevaluating policy, not banning STRs. But pauses can easily become precedents. Town Attorney Jeff Parker advised the moratorium to avoid complications, and Town Administrator Brian Berger framed it as a chance to gather feedback.
Read: Town of Buena Vista Short-Term Rental (STR) Information
Trustee Andrew Rice insisted the intent is not to limit STRs but to fix “fundamental issues.” Trustee Chris Sturm introduced the idea of “Future Full-Time Residents”—second-home owners who may one day settle in Buena Vista.
The moratorium passed unanimously, with a committee formed to rework STR regulations. It is scheduled to remain in effect until September 2026, though trustees stated it may be lifted earlier if policy revisions are completed ahead of schedule. A first work session on STR regulations is tentatively set for March 10, when trustees and staff will begin reviewing potential changes.
STRisker Updates Tracker
How do you keep up with the regulatory rollercoaster in your market? STRisker's Updates Tracker can be your guide - start tracking latest events as they happen and get access to essential documents as they come in. We know the struggle, which is why we built this product to capture every twist and turn in the regulatory saga so you never miss a beat.
Stay Updated with STRisker
STRisker offers tools and features to keep you updated with the Short-Term Rental movement across the U.S.
👍 We’d love your feedback.
We're always looking for ways to improve Bulletins.
Was this one useful to you? Other topics you'd like to see get covered?
✉️ Just reply directly to this email. We read and respond to every message!
-Will McClure
🙋 P.S.
Know someone else who should be reading this Bulletin? Feel free to forward this along. We want to make sure operators and stakeholders are aware of regulatory changes in their area.