Before you apply

• The property is your primary residence: the place your habitation is fixed and your usual place of return. One person, one primary residence. A pure investment property cannot be licensed in Denver.
• If you do not own the property, you have a signed possession of property certificate from the owner for the application.
• You have a copy of your valid Colorado driver license or Colorado identification card for the application file.

The license

• Short term rental license obtained from Denver's Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection before you advertise or rent. Initial reviews can take up to 30 days, specialist reviews up to 90 days.
• Lodger's tax license in place with the Denver Department of Finance, and a tax filing schedule set with Treasury.
• At least $1,000,000 in liability insurance that covers use of the property as a short term rental, or you list only through a hosting platform that provides that coverage in its service agreement.

While you operate

• Your business license number appears on every advertisement. Advertising without it is unlawful.
• The license (or a clear picture of it) is displayed at the property at all times.
• Only one reservation or booking at a time.
• Lodger's tax (10.75 percent per Tax Guide Topic 97) and the state sales tax on lodging are collected and filed on the schedule Treasury sets. Check current rates before your first filing, since guides are revised.
• Contact information stays current: file an online amendment within 72 hours of any change (place of business, onsite manager, and similar details).
• Renewal filed online before the license expires. Licenses expire annually; operating on an expired license is unlawful unless a complete renewal application is pending.

Not in the city's published checklist

• HOA and condo rules: not in any public dataset and not part of the city license. Check with your HOA in writing.
• Building and fire code specifics for your property type: check with the city for your address rather than relying on a general list.