Colorado STR intelligence, from the field.

# Clear Creek County Airbnb Income Guide 2026: What Owners Actually Make 45 Minutes from Denver

Most Colorado STR investors chase the obvious markets — Breckenridge, Estes Park, Winter Park. Clear Creek County rarely makes the shortlist. That's a mistake, and the data makes the case clearly.

Idaho Springs, the county seat, sits at mile marker 240 on I-70 — 45 minutes from downtown Denver. It's the first real mountain town Front Range residents hit when they want to escape, and it captures a guest profile that the high-altitude ski markets don't: the spontaneous weekend tripper, the couple who wants mountains without a 2-hour drive, the remote worker who needs a change of scenery for a week. The market is smaller than Breckenridge and the revenue ceiling is lower, but the entry price is dramatically more accessible and the occupancy patterns are more stable than most investors expect.

This guide covers the real revenue numbers, the regulatory environment (which has become significantly more complex since 2023), and what the top-performing properties in this market are doing differently.

What Owners Actually Make: Revenue by Bedroom Count

According to Rabbu market data as of March 2026, the Idaho Springs STR market has 117 active listings generating an average annual revenue of $33,473 and an average daily rate of $256 [1]. That ADR is roughly half the Colorado state average of $519, which reflects the market's positioning: Clear Creek County attracts value-conscious Front Range travelers, not destination ski tourists willing to pay $500+ per night.

The revenue picture changes dramatically when you look at it by bedroom count:

*Source: Rabbu, March 2026 [1]*

The 5-bedroom outlier ($155,508 annually) is real but driven by only 3 listings — a thin supply that creates genuine opportunity for investors willing to acquire larger properties in a market where group-size accommodations are severely underrepresented. The 4-bedroom segment at $46,791 annually with only 9 listings is arguably the most interesting from a supply-scarcity standpoint.

For most investors, the 3-bedroom range ($40,236 annually, $341 ADR) represents the practical sweet spot: strong revenue relative to acquisition cost, a guest profile (families, friend groups of 4–6) that matches the market's demand, and enough supply to validate the market without being oversaturated.

Month-by-Month Revenue: Understanding the Seasonality

Clear Creek County follows a summer-dominant pattern with a meaningful winter secondary peak — a profile that differs from both the ski-dominant Summit County markets and the pure-summer Estes Park market.

*Source: Rabbu seasonalized monthly revenue data, March 2026 [1]*

The April dip ($1,640) is the most pronounced trough in the calendar — ski season is winding down, summer hiking hasn't started, and the weather is unpredictable. Operators who actively market to remote workers and couples seeking off-peak mountain retreats during April and May can meaningfully close this gap.

The July peak at $4,425 is more than double April's figure — a spread of nearly $2,800. This is less extreme than Estes Park's summer dominance but more pronounced than Summit County's winter-anchored demand. The practical implication: Clear Creek County properties need a genuine summer marketing strategy, not just passive listing optimization.

The Clear Creek County Advantage: What the Numbers Don't Show

The revenue figures above are averages across all 117 listings. The top-performing properties in this market are doing several things that the average listing isn't.

Proximity marketing. The I-70 corridor is Clear Creek County's defining asset. Properties that explicitly market to Denver-area residents — "45 minutes from downtown," "no mountain pass required," "perfect for a long weekend" — convert at higher rates than listings that try to compete on the same terms as Breckenridge or Vail. The guest who books a Clear Creek County property is making a different decision than the guest booking a ski resort condo; the listing needs to speak to that.

Year-round demand anchors. Idaho Springs has more demand drivers than most small mountain markets: Argo Gold Mine & Mill (a top-rated historic attraction), Indian Hot Springs Resort, Clear Creek whitewater rafting, the Georgetown Loop Railroad, and direct access to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway (the highest paved road in North America). Properties that reference these in their listings and descriptions capture guests who aren't just looking for a mountain backdrop.

Hot tubs and outdoor spaces. Rabbu data shows hot tubs in 32% of Idaho Springs listings and outdoor patios in 79% [1]. In a market where the guest is often choosing between a mountain escape and staying home in Denver, a hot tub is a conversion driver — it answers the question "why drive 45 minutes?" with a concrete amenity that a Denver apartment doesn't have.

The group-size gap. With only 3 five-bedroom and 9 four-bedroom listings in the entire market, larger properties face almost no direct competition. A well-appointed 4-bedroom home in Idaho Springs targeting family reunions, corporate retreats, and multi-family trips can command premium rates and high occupancy simultaneously — a combination that's harder to achieve in more saturated markets.

STR Regulations: The Most Important Thing to Understand Before You Buy

Clear Creek County's regulatory environment has become significantly more restrictive since 2023, and it's the single most important factor to verify before acquiring a property here.

Unincorporated Clear Creek County (most rural and mountain properties)

The county operates under Ordinance No. 19, which established a hard cap on non-primary-resident (absentee) STR licenses at 4.5% of total residential units — currently 162 permits for 2025, unchanged from 2024 [2]. As of early 2026, all absentee permits for 2025 have been spoken for. New applicants are placed on a waitlist with a $500 application fee, but placement on the waitlist does not guarantee issuance [2].

The county offers three license types:

*Source: Clear Creek County STR Fee Schedule, December 2024 [3]*

The practical implication: if you're buying a property in unincorporated Clear Creek County as an investment (not your primary residence), you need to verify that an absentee STR license is available — or transferable from the current owner — before closing. A property without a license in the current environment may not be able to obtain one.

City of Idaho Springs (town properties)

The City of Idaho Springs operates its own STR licensing program, separate from the county. STR licenses have been required since November 2018 [4]. The city's regulations are generally less restrictive than the county's absentee cap, but operators must still obtain a city license, collect and remit applicable lodging taxes, and comply with occupancy limits and noise ordinances. Verify current availability directly with the city before acquisition.

Key due diligence checklist: - Confirm whether the property is in unincorporated Clear Creek County or within Idaho Springs city limits - Verify whether an existing STR license is in place and whether it transfers with the property - If no license exists, confirm waitlist status and realistic timeline for obtaining one - Review HOA documents for any STR restrictions (particularly relevant for condos and townhomes)

Is Clear Creek County Right for Your Portfolio?

Clear Creek County is not the right market for every investor. The revenue ceiling is lower than Summit County or Estes Park, the regulatory environment for absentee investors has tightened significantly, and the market is absorbing new supply quickly — Rabbu reports a 142% surge in new listings, which is compressing the supply/demand balance [1].

But for the right investor, it's a compelling opportunity. Entry prices are meaningfully lower than Summit County. The proximity to Denver creates a demand base that doesn't depend on destination tourism. The larger-property segment is dramatically undersupplied. And for investors who can qualify as primary residents — or who are willing to operate under the primary-resident license structure — the regulatory path is clearer than in many Colorado mountain markets.

The investors who succeed here are the ones who understand the regulatory landscape before they buy, target the 3–5 bedroom segment where supply is thin and revenue is strong, and actively market to the Denver-area weekend traveler rather than trying to compete with Breckenridge on the same terms.

For a comparison of how Clear Creek County stacks up against other Colorado markets, see our [Summit County vs. Estes Park STR Investment guide](/insights/summit-county-vs-estes-park-str-investment) and our [Breckenridge Airbnb Income Guide 2026](/insights/breckenridge-airbnb-income-guide-2026).

Curious what your Clear Creek County property could actually earn? [Get a free revenue projection from Tailored Stays →](/owners) We'll send you a custom 12-month estimate within 1 business day.

References

[1] Rabbu. "Idaho Springs, CO Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates [2026]." *Rabbu*, March 2026. https://rabbu.com/airbnb-data/idaho-springs-co

[2] Clear Creek County. "Short Term Rental Licenses." *Clear Creek County Official Website*, updated February 2026. https://www.clearcreekcounty.us/910/Short-Term-Rentals

[3] Clear Creek County. "Short-Term Rental Fee Schedule." *Clear Creek County*, December 2024. https://www.clearcreekcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/15224/Short-Term-Rental-Fee-Schedule-R-24-92---ADA

[4] City of Idaho Springs. "Short Term Rentals." *Idaho Springs Official Website*. https://www.idahospringsco.com/city-clerk/page/short-term-rentals

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