Mancos, Colorado

Short-term rentals (stays of 1 to 29 days) are permitted in the Town of Mancos but operate under one of the most restrictive frameworks in Colorado. The rules were established under Ordinance 770, Series 2022 (Town Code Section 6-8).

Mancos imposes a hard annual limit of 15 STR business licenses town-wide, with a waitlist maintained by the Town Clerk when all licenses are issued. The $750 annual license fee is non-refundable and must be renewed each year. All applicants must pass a property inspection within 30 days of application and carry commercial general liability insurance.

Eligibility is tightly restricted by use and residency. In residential zones, the only eligible configuration is an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a property where the owner lives on-site as a primary resident. In mixed-use and commercial zones, the property must be owned by a local owner who resides within the 81328 zip code. Permanently affordable, publicly owned, and workforce housing are prohibited from STR use. No variances or exemptions are available for the residency requirements.

Outside investors who do not live in Mancos are effectively ineligible to operate an STR within town limits under these rules. Properties in the surrounding unincorporated Montezuma County may operate under different rules.

A combined state and local sales tax of approximately 7.3% applies to lodging in Colorado, but no dedicated municipal lodging tax rate specific to Mancos could be confirmed. Enforcement severity is rated strict.