Ouray County, Colorado
Unincorporated Ouray County, CO vacation rental requirements
Outside Ouray and Ridgway, a short-term rental needs a county permit, and permits are capped (50 Type 1, 50 Type 2, and 25 Type 3) with a waitlist. Since January 2026 stays owe a 6% county lodging tax on top of 5.45% sales tax.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
The county page summarizes Ordinance 2024-01 but doesn’t list fees, occupancy, or safety rules; ask Land Use for the ordinance.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of Colorado
Get a state sales tax license
If you rent rooms or a home for stays under 30 days, Colorado requires a sales tax license from the Department of Revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect the state and state-administered taxes on their bookings; you file for anything booked directly.Source
Check for home-rule city taxes
Many cities and mountain towns collect their own sales and lodging taxes. Platforms aren’t required by the state to collect these, so you may need a separate city tax license and returns.Source
Get your county or city rental license
Most Colorado mountain counties and towns, and Denver, require a short-term rental license or permit, often with an inspection, an occupancy limit, posted information, and a local responder. Pick your area for the rules.
Ouray County, Colorado
Get a state sales tax license
Needed for any rental unless a platform covers all your taxes.Source
Then your town or area
Towns set their own rental licenses and collect their own taxes, and the county’s rules cover only areas outside town limits. Pick your area.
Unincorporated Ouray County
Apply or join the waitlist
Apply for a Short-Term Rental Permit through the county’s Cloudpermit portal; when permits are full, the same application puts you on the waitlist. Accessory dwelling units may owe extra water tap fees, so check with your water provider.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 11.45%: 2.9% state, 2.55% Ouray County, and the 6% county lodging tax. Airbnb and other platforms collect the state and state-administered taxes on their bookings; for direct bookings, file with the Colorado Department of Revenue. The 6% lodging tax, approved by voters in November 2025, is a state-administered tax filed quarterly on form DR 1485, so platforms should collect it on their bookings.Source
Sources
- Sales & Use Tax Topics: Rooms & Accommodations · Colorado Department of Revenue
- Sales Tax Guide and Colorado Sales/Use Tax Rates (DR 1002) · Colorado Department of Revenue
- Short-Term Rental Permitting · Ouray County Land Use Department
- Colorado voters approve new lodging taxes impacting short-term rentals (November 2025) · Avalara MyLodgeTax
A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.