Cortez, Colorado Short-Term Rental Market
Cortez, CO STRs averaged $179 per night at 40.9% occupancy in April 2026, serving as the primary lodging hub for Mesa Verde National Park's roughly 480,000 annual visitors.
Quick Answer: Cortez, Colorado is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Colorado Area market area is 65%. average monthly revenue in the Colorado Area market area is $4,125. average daily rate in the Colorado Area market area is $244. the top operator in the Colorado Area market area is Evolve with 552 listings. market score is 67/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Colorado Area regional market, which includes Cortez. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cortez.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Cortez is the commercial and lodging center of Colorado’s Four Corners region, with a population of approximately 9,059. Its STR market is anchored by proximity to Mesa Verde National Park, which drew 480,065 visitors in 2024, generating an estimated $59.5 million in nearby-community spending. Additional demand sources include Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, San Juan National Forest, and the broader Four Corners archaeological circuit. A 2024 Montezuma County study estimated outdoor recreation and heritage tourism produce approximately $78.5 million in annual visitor spending and $100.7 million in total economic output countywide.
The market recorded 40.9% average occupancy and a $179 average daily rate in April 2026, yielding a RevPAR of $73.22. All three year-over-year metrics are positive: occupancy grew 2.5%, ADR rose 2.9%, and revenue increased 2.4%.
The active listing base totals approximately 11,109 units. Entire-place listings account for 10,381 (93% of inventory), with 723 private rooms and 5 shared-room listings. Bedroom distribution is balanced: 1-bedroom leads at 3,557 listings, followed by 3-bedroom (3,021), 2-bedroom (2,842), 4-bedroom (1,119), and 5-bedroom-plus (550). Dual-platform presence is strong: 5,581 listings appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, with 4,614 Airbnb-only and 914 VRBO-only.
Market scores are among the stronger in this batch: total score 66.7, investability 70.7, regulation 70.5, rental demand 73.3, revenue growth 64.4, and seasonality 69.7.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 42% |
| Feb | 50% |
| Mar | 54% |
| Apr | 41% |
| May | 57% |
| Jun | 67% |
| Jul | 72% |
| Aug | 63% |
| Sep | 59% |
| Oct | 51% |
| Nov | 45% |
| Dec | 51% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Cortez are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Colorado Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Colorado Area market as a whole, which includes Cortez, so these counts are not Cortez-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 552 | 35,001 | ★ 4.77 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 218 | 11,513 | ★ 4.60 |
| 3 | Vacation Rental Collective | 164 | 8,344 | ★ 4.82 |
| 4 | Pinon Vacation | 111 | 8,032 | ★ 4.82 |
| 5 | VIP Vacation Services | 94 | 3,083 | ★ 4.83 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cortez?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Cortez are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 41.5% |
| vrbo | 8.2% |
| both | 50.2% |
Home Value Trends (Cortez)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Cortez are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Cortez — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Cortez is governed by City of Cortez land use code and local tax ordinances rather than a comprehensive STR licensing scheme. Any STR operating within city limits must obtain a City of Cortez Sales Tax License, which costs $10 and is applied for through MuniRevs at cortez.munirevs.com.
On taxes, stays of 29 nights or fewer are subject to a 2% city Lodger’s (lodging) tax plus a 3.85% city sales tax, in addition to Colorado’s 2.9% state sales tax and applicable Montezuma County sales taxes. Airbnb collects the 3.85% city sales tax and 2% lodging tax on behalf of hosts on that platform.
No city-level owner-occupancy requirement, primary-residence requirement, or annual night cap was identified in the profile data. This is a relatively permissive, tax-focused regulatory environment rather than one with caps or operational restrictions.
The City of Cortez adopted a comprehensively updated Land Use Code on March 11, 2025, effective April 18, 2025. Short-term rentals may not be permitted in every residential zone district under this updated code. Prospective operators should confirm the permitted use for a specific parcel with the Cortez Planning and Zoning Division (970-565-3402) before listing. Enforcement is described as minimal. Colorado also passed HB24-1299, which affects how some STRs are classified for property-tax purposes statewide; operators should verify current classification with the Montezuma County Assessor.
Market Comparison
Cortez’s April 2026 occupancy of 40.9% is below the approximate US STR median of 55%, which is partly attributable to April being the market’s seasonal trough. Peak-month July at 72.4% occupancy is well above that median. The ADR of $179 is below the national median of roughly $220 but above many comparably sized small-city markets, reflecting the premium associated with gateway-to-Mesa-Verde positioning.
The total market score of 66.7 and investability score of 70.7 are above the mid-range for US STR markets. The revenue growth score of 64.4 and positive YoY metrics distinguish Cortez from many suburban Colorado markets showing flat or declining trends in the same data period.
Among professional operators, Evolve leads the Cortez area market with 552 listings and 35,001 reviews at a 4.77 average rating. Vacasa ranks second with 218 listings and 11,513 reviews at 4.60. Vacation Rental Collective holds third with 164 listings and 8,344 reviews at 4.82. Together these three operators account for 934 listings, approximately 8% of the estimated active market. Pinon Vacation (111 listings, 4.82 rating) and VIP Vacation Services (94 listings, 4.83 rating) round out the top five.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cortez, Colorado
What is the average occupancy rate for STRs in Cortez, CO?
How much revenue can an STR generate in Cortez?
Do I need a license or permit to operate an STR in Cortez?
What taxes apply to STRs in Cortez?
What drives STR demand in Cortez?
What is the average daily rate for Cortez STRs?
Who are the top STR property managers in the Cortez area?
Analyze Cortez Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Cortez.
Free Cortez STR Calculator →
