Colorado STR intelligence, from the field.

Clear Creek County — home to Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Empire, and the surrounding mountain communities along I-70 — has been one of the more active Colorado jurisdictions in updating its STR framework. If you own or manage a property in Clear Creek County, 2025 and 2026 brought significant changes worth understanding.

What Changed in 2025–2026

Clear Creek County finalized new administrative rules for its STR program in October 2025. These rules strengthened the administrative framework around Ordinance No. 19, establishing clearer procedures for residency verification and compliance enforcement.

Separately, the county significantly increased STR license fees in 2026. The renewal fee increased to approximately $1,000 — a more than 100% increase from the previous fee structure. This fee increase was controversial among existing STR owners and reflects the county's broader effort to manage STR density and generate revenue for housing-related programs.

The Current Framework

Clear Creek County offers three types of STR licenses for properties in unincorporated areas:

Standard License: The most common license type for non-primary-residence STRs. Subject to the county's cap on total licenses in unincorporated areas.

Primary Residence License: Available for owner-occupied properties. May have different fee structures and requirements than the Standard License.

Absentee STR Permit: Clear Creek County tracks "absentee" STRs (non-primary-residence properties) separately and has implemented a cap: absentee STRs cannot exceed 4.5% of the housing stock in a given area. This cap has been reached in some parts of the county, meaning new absentee STR licenses may not be available.

License Caps and Availability

The 4.5% absentee STR cap is the most important regulatory constraint for investors considering Clear Creek County properties. Before purchasing a property for STR use, verify:

1. Whether the property is in an area that has reached the 4.5% absentee cap
2. Whether an active STR license is currently attached to the property
3. If no license exists, whether the relevant area has license availability

The county's interactive STR map shows current license distribution and can help identify whether a specific area is near or at the cap.

Safety and Inspection Requirements

All Clear Creek County STR licenses require a life-safety inspection. Properties must also meet building code requirements — the county has a specific process for legalizing existing structures that were built without permits, which is relevant for some older mountain properties.

→ Clear Creek County STR Licensing — Official Page

Tax Obligations

STR hosts in Clear Creek County are responsible for:

• Colorado state sales tax: 2.9%
• Clear Creek County lodging tax (verify current rate)
• Town lodging tax (if within an incorporated town such as Idaho Springs — verify current rate)

Idaho Springs (Incorporated)

Properties within the City of Idaho Springs are subject to city licensing requirements, which are separate from county requirements. Idaho Springs has required STR licenses since 2018. Verify current requirements directly with the city if your property is within Idaho Springs city limits.

→ Idaho Springs STR Licensing — Official Page

What This Means for Investors

Clear Creek County's proximity to Denver (45–60 minutes on I-70) makes it an attractive market for weekend-getaway STRs. The regulatory environment is more complex than it was two years ago, but the framework is workable for properties that already have active licenses or are in areas with license availability.

The key risk for new investors is the absentee cap: in some Clear Creek County communities, the cap has been reached, and new non-primary-residence STR licenses are not available. This makes license status a critical due diligence item for any Clear Creek County acquisition.

Last verified: March 2026. Clear Creek County regulations changed significantly in 2025–2026 and may continue to evolve — always confirm current requirements directly with the county before operating or making investment decisions.

See our Clear Creek County market overview for revenue data and investment context, or reach out to discuss your property.