San Miguel County, Colorado
Telluride, CO vacation rental requirements
Telluride requires a short-term rental license: homes in the Residential Zone and Limited licenses are held to 29 nights a year, while Classic licenses elsewhere have no night limit but pay a per-bedroom regulatory fee. No one can hold more than two licenses. Stays owe 17.22% in taxes, and platforms don’t collect the town’s 11%.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
Fee amounts come from a May 2026 property manager’s guide; we couldn’t open the town’s license page. Confirm fees and any inspection requirements with the town’s STR Program Administrator.
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.
San Miguel 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.
Town of Telluride
Find your zone and license
If your home is in the Residential Zone (outlined in red on the town map), you need a Residential license. Elsewhere choose Classic (no night limit) or Limited (up to 29 nights a year). Hotels and lodges use the Lodging license. You can hold an interest in no more than two licenses.Source
Apply online
Since July 1, 2025 all forms are online. Include the Financial Ownership Disclosure and a Bulk Notary Form for notarized documents. Licenses don’t transfer; a new owner or added owner needs a new license and fee.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 17.22%: 11% to the Town of Telluride and 6.22% to the state and San Miguel County. 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 town has no tax agreement with Airbnb or VRBO: file the town’s 11% in Rentalscape each month for each property, and state and county taxes in the state’s SUTS system.Source
Fees
Classic: $165 + $22 per bedroom + $288 admin + $857 per bedroom regulatory fee; Residential and Limited pay half the base and no regulatory fee
| Classic license | $165 plus $22 per sleeping room |
|---|---|
| Administrative fee (all types) | $288 per unit |
| Regulatory fee (Classic) | $857 per bedroom |
| Residential or Limited license | 50% of Classic base fees plus $288 |
| Town business license | $100 |
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 FAQs · Town of Telluride
- Colorado Airbnb market data (active listings) · AirROI
- Telluride short-term rental regulations guide (May 29, 2026) · GoLocal VR (property manager)
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.