Teller County, Colorado
Cripple Creek, CO vacation rental requirements
Cripple Creek requires a license for every short-term rental in city limits and enforces spacing between rentals. The city business license costs $150 the first year, $75 the second, and $25 after; ask the Clerk about the rental permit rules and the city lodging tax.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
We could read only the last pages of Ordinance 2022-10, so occupancy, parking, inspection, and spacing distances aren’t listed here. Ask the City Clerk.
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.
Teller County, Colorado
Then your town or area
Cities and towns make their own rental rules inside their limits; the county’s rules apply only outside them. Pick your area.
City of Cripple Creek
Ask about spacing first
The city enforces a proximity policy between short-term rentals. Ask the City Clerk whether your address qualifies before you buy or list.Source
Get the license
Apply for the city business license and short-term rental permit with the City Clerk. Licenses run to December 31 each year and can’t be transferred to another person.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state plus Teller County and Cripple Creek city taxes. 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 city has a lodging tax packet for new businesses; ask the Clerk for the rate and whether platforms collect it.Source
Fees
$150 the first year, then $75, then $25 a year
| Business license (first year) | $150 |
|---|---|
| Business license (second year) | $75 |
| Business license (each year after) | $25 |
| Unpaid penalty late feeFrom Ordinance 2022-10. | $25 plus 1.5% a month |
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
- Business Licensing and Short Term Rentals · City of Cripple Creek City Clerk
- Colorado Airbnb market data (active listings) · AirROI
- Ordinance 2022-10, Short-Term Rentals · City of Cripple Creek
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.