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Markets/Denver, CO

Denver Airbnb and Vrbo Calculator: Rules and Taxes

Estimate cash flow for an Airbnb or Vrbo in Denver, CO, then check local rules and taxes. The editable presets are illustrative inputs.

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Check Denver rules and official sources

Market context and seasonality

Denver has tourism year-round, with skiing in winter and outdoor activities in summer. Business travelers and tourists heading into the Rocky Mountains also stay in the city. Start with the preloaded Denver example inputs, then change the nightly rate, occupancy, purchase price, and expenses to match your property.

Denver STR market highlights

  • 1Gateway to ski resorts like Breckenridge and Vail
  • 2Strong year-round demand from business and leisure travelers
  • 3Growing tech hub attracting relocating professionals
  • 4Legal cannabis brings in its own tourist traffic

Seasonality in Denver

Peak seasons are December-March (ski season) and June-August (summer tourism). Demand is moderate in the shoulder seasons.

Denver rules and taxes

Permit or license
Obtain a city short-term rental license before operating and renew it annually.
Primary residence and zoning
The rental must remain the license holder's primary residence. Denver evaluates where the applicant actually lives and usually returns. Owning the property alone does not establish eligibility.
Lodging and sales taxes
Register for a Denver lodger's tax account and submit required filings even when a platform collects the tax. Confirm rates and any occupational privilege tax obligations with city Treasury.

Last verified

Verification scope: We verified the city license, primary-residence requirement, renewal and tax-account/filing duties. We did not verify tax rates or occupancy, parking and noise details.

Confirm the property's jurisdiction, eligibility and tax obligations with the listed authorities before buying or listing.

Nearby markets

Breckenridge, CO

Nightly-rate preset: $425

Park City, UT

Nightly-rate preset: $450

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV

Nightly-rate preset: $375

Frequently asked questions

What's a good cash-on-cash return for Airbnb in Denver?
There is no single good cash-on-cash return for every Denver short-term rental. Compare the calculator's projected return with your financing costs, alternatives, risk tolerance, and the property's break-even occupancy. Replace the preset with property-specific costs and current comparable listings before deciding.
What's the average nightly rate for Airbnb in Denver?
This calculator starts with $185 per night as an illustrative STR Numbers input, not a live or cited market average. Current rates vary by property size, location, amenities, and seasonality, so replace it with recent comparable listings.
What occupancy rate can I expect in Denver?
The calculator uses 68% occupancy as an illustrative input, not a forecast for a specific property. Check current local comps and test a conservative downside case.
Is Denver a good market for Airbnb investing?
Denver is a urban market in the Mountain West region. The calculator's $550,000 home-price preset is an illustrative input, not a current market valuation. Verify the property, comparable listings, and local rules before investing.

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City preset values are estimates for educational purposes only. See full disclaimer