Fort Collins, Colorado Short-Term Rental Market
Northern Colorado short-term rentals averaged a $206 ADR, 63.8% occupancy and $3,660 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Fort Collins, Colorado is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Fort Collins market area is 64%. average monthly revenue in the Fort Collins market area is $3,660. average daily rate in the Fort Collins market area is $206. the top operator in the Fort Collins market area is Mountain Time Vacation Rentals with 208 listings. market score is 72/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the wider Fort Collins market, which covers 4 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Fort Collins.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers Fort Collins, Colorado, with performance figures framed as the Northern Colorado STR market, a shared data region that also includes Loveland and Greeley. The latest data month is September 2026. Across all listings, the average daily rate was $206, occupancy was 63.8%, and average monthly revenue per listing was $3,660. Entire homes earned a higher monthly revenue of $3,914 at a $221 ADR. Houses averaged $3,718 a month and apartments averaged $3,672.
Year over year, occupancy fell 1.5%, while ADR rose 5.0% and revenue rose 3.0%. The pattern matches the longer record. Calendar year 2026 through September shows 64.3% occupancy, a $185 ADR and $3,328 in monthly revenue, compared with 63.5%, $176 and $3,161 for full year 2025. Occupancy peaked at 69.2% in 2021 and has held between 63.4% and 66.3% since 2022, so recent growth has come from rate rather than from more booked nights.
Fort Collins itself has a population of 170,927. Demand draws on craft beer tourism, with more than 20 breweries including New Belgium and Odell, the Old Town historic district, cycling, Horsetooth Reservoir and Lory State Park, and Colorado State University, which enrolls roughly 34,000 students. The city sits 35 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park, which recorded 4.12 million visits in 2023. Demand is relatively year-round, with peaks in summer and fall.
Bedroom mix, booking channel, listing-type counts and top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Fort Collins, so this profile omits them. Investors should note that a city license is required and that zoning limits where non-primary rentals are allowed, as covered in the regulatory section.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 49% |
| Feb | 58% |
| Mar | 63% |
| Apr | 62% |
| May | 66% |
| Jun | 75% |
| Jul | 78% |
| Aug | 73% |
| Sep | 66% |
| Oct | 62% |
| Nov | 54% |
| Dec | 56% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Fort Collins are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Fort Collins market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Fort Collins market as a whole, which includes Fort Collins, so these counts are not Fort Collins-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain Time Vacation Rentals | 208 | 14,016 | ★ 4.81 |
| 2 | Urbanize | 56 | 4,212 | ★ 4.91 |
| 3 | Rise N Shine Rentals | 50 | 3,207 | ★ 4.90 |
| 4 | Evolve | 44 | 1,838 | ★ 4.78 |
| 5 | Riverside Colorado | 32 | 14 | ★ 4.96 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Fort Collins?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Fort Collins 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 | 49% |
| vrbo | 5.5% |
| both | 45.5% |
Home Value Trends (Fort Collins)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins — 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
Fort Collins permits short-term rentals, but a city Short-Term Rental License is required before a listing goes live. Enforcement is rated strict, and the city contracts with a compliance vendor that monitors 25+ booking platforms.
Two license types exist: Primary (the owner lives at the property at least 9 months a year) and Non-Primary (investment properties). Owner occupancy and primary residence are not required for a Non-Primary license. The application fee is $150 and non-refundable, with an annual renewal of $100 due by June 30.
Zoning is the main gate. The city uses a color-coded map. Green zones allow only primary rentals, yellow zones allow both primary and non-primary rentals, and uncolored zones prohibit rentals entirely. Only detached houses and property-line townhomes qualify, and buildings with 3 or more units are prohibited in every zone. HOA approval is required where applicable. Investors should confirm a property sits in a yellow zone before buying.
Operators also need a City of Fort Collins Sales and Lodging Tax License at no extra fee. The city lodging tax is 3% on stays under 30 consecutive days. Liability insurance is required at $100,000 minimum for houses and $50,000 for attached units, a local emergency contact must be reachable within 4 hours, and the license number must appear in every listing.
The Land Use Code was updated effective May 17, 2024. Larimer County prohibits rentals within 500 feet of a county park or open space in unincorporated areas, effective June 1, 2023. Verify current rules with the city before purchase.
Market Comparison
The Northern Colorado STR market shows steady demand. September 2026 occupancy was 63.8% and the all-listings ADR was $206. Entire homes reached $221, luxury listings reached $341 and professionally managed listings reached $277.
The strength of the market is demand rather than rate. Occupancy has held between 63.4% and 69.2% every year since 2020, while ADR has climbed from $115 in 2020 to $185 in 2026 through September. Even January, the weakest month, posts 48.6% occupancy, and July reaches 78.3%.
Investors comparing Fort Collins with other markets should weigh the regulatory structure alongside these numbers. Strict enforcement, a color-coded zoning map and a detached-house and townhome restriction limit the supply of eligible properties, which can protect incumbent licensed operators but narrows the buying options. Top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Fort Collins, so they are omitted here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Collins, Colorado
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