What Is (and Isn’t) a Short-Term Rental (STR)?
Before we can talk about regulations, taxes, or standards, we have to agree on what an STR actually is.
This page explains the difference between responsible, community-minded short-term rentals and the misconceptions that often surround them.
A Short-Term Rental (STR) is a residential property that is lawfully offered for stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days.
Responsible STRs operate under clear rules, safety standards, and a commitment to community harmony. They provide safe, comfortable, professionally managed lodging options that benefit both visitors and the local economy.
- Locally Invested: Owned or managed by individuals or businesses with ties to Teller County.
- Professionally Operated: Maintained to meet safety, sanitation, and guest quality standards.
- Economically Valuable: Supports local cleaners, trades, shops, restaurants, and tourism jobs.
- Accountable: Operates under TCSTRA’s Code of Conduct for responsible hosting.
- Community Partner: Works with neighbors, local officials, and service providers to sustain a healthy STR environment.
Not every property that rents short-term reflects the values TCSTRA promotes. Misinformation often paints all STRs as nuisances, but in truth, the problems come from a small minority of unaccountable operators.
- Not a “Party House”: Responsible STRs use guest agreements, occupancy limits, and noise monitoring.
- Not Unmonitored: TCSTRA members provide local contacts and emergency information to neighbors and officials.
- Not Untaxed or Hidden: Members support fair lodging and business taxation when adopted by the County.
- Not Depleting Housing: Many STRs are secondary homes, accessory dwellings, or seasonal-use properties that would not otherwise be available as long-term housing.
- Not a Corporate Hotel: STRs are small-scale, locally connected hospitality businesses, not anonymous corporations.
When every property that rents to visitors is labeled the same, the community loses the ability to distinguish between responsible local hosts and bad actors.
TCSTRA exists to make that difference visible — through education, standards, and transparent accountability. By defining what an STR truly is, we ensure that local leaders and residents can make informed, balanced decisions about regulation and community growth.
“Responsible STRs aren’t the problem — they’re part of the solution. They bring visitors, jobs, and investment while upholding community values.”
TCSTRA’s Commitment
TCSTRA’s members are building a culture of professionalism in short-term rentals — where hosts, guests, and neighbors all benefit from clear expectations and shared accountability.