Summit County, Colorado
Blue River, CO vacation rental requirements
Blue River paused new short-term rental licenses and lapsed renewals through December 31, 2026 while it rewrites its rules. Existing 2026 licenses can keep operating. The town allows one license per owner.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
The town expects new rules after its review; check back in early 2027.
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.
Summit County, Colorado
Get a state sales tax license
You need a Colorado sales tax license for stays under 30 days unless a platform collects everything for you. The state, county, transit, and housing taxes are filed with the Department of Revenue.Source
Then your town or area
Each town licenses its own short-term rentals and collects its own taxes; outside town limits the county’s rules apply. Pick your area.
Town of Blue River
Check the moratorium
New licenses and lapsed renewals are on hold until the end of 2026, or sooner if the town finishes its rewrite. Current 2026 licenses aren’t affected.Source
Check the license list
The town posts every licensed rental on its CitizenServe portal under Reports.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state, 2% county, 0.75% transit, and 0.725% housing sales tax, plus any town 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. Ask the town about its own short-term rental tax and how to file it.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
- Blue River freezes new short-term rental licenses and renewals amid ‘emergency’ compliance concerns (May 2026) · Summit Daily
- Blue River Short-Term Rental Licenses · Town of Blue River
- Tax Rates and Revenue Distributions · Town of Breckenridge Finance
- Colorado Airbnb market data (active listings) · AirROI
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.