Is It Still a Good Time to Invest in an Airbnb in Breckenridge?

(Updated for 2025)

Understanding Breckenridge’s STR Zones

To operate legally, each rental must hold a valid Accommodation Unit License through the Town of Breckenridge for any stay under 30 days. In 2021, the Town adopted a zoned cap system that limits how many licenses can exist in each neighborhood. You can view the full breakdown of available licenses by zone on the Breckenridge STR License Cap & Zone Map.

Here’s the current snapshot:

• Resort Property Zone – Easiest path; licenses readily available for resort-focused areas.
• Zone 1 (Tourism Core) – Limited but still open for new applications.
• Zones 2 & 3 (Residential Areas) – Typically full with active waitlists, per Summit Realtors’ STR Summary.

Licenses are non-transferable upon sale. That means if you buy a property without an active license, you’ll need to apply for one and potentially wait months or even years, depending on availability in your zone.

This system helps control density and neighborhood balance, but it also makes STR permits a valuable commodity.

What It Means for Investors

The STR caps have created two realities in Breckenridge:

1. Licensed homes appreciate faster. Properties with active permits have become hot commodities due to their scarcity.
2. Unlicensed properties carry risk. Without an STR license, your income potential is uncertain and long-term returns may hinge on regulatory changes or waitlist movement.

However, that limited supply means existing STRs face less competition—helping sustain high occupancy and ADR (Average Daily Rate) for those already licensed.

Looking South: Park County & Fairplay

If Breckenridge’s regulatory climate feels tight, look just Just 25 miles south of Breckenridge, Park County has become a rising alternative for STR investors seeking more flexibility.

In unincorporated Park County, short-term rentals are allowed with a valid permit, but the county does not currently impose a hard numerical cap. Details and application requirements can be found on the Park County Short-Term Rental Licensing Page.

Meanwhile, the Town of Fairplay, located within Park County, maintains a small permit cap of roughly 6.5% of all housing units (about 20 licenses total), according to the Town of Fairplay STR Program.

While Park County continues to refine its STR ordinance, its lower home prices and more permissive structure make it attractive for first-time investors or those priced out of Breckenridge.

The Bottom Line

If you’re eyeing Breckenridge, the key is license status.

1. Buy a property with an active STR license, and you’ll benefit from a protected asset in a high-demand, low-supply market.
2. Buy without one, and you’re speculating on future regulation—something that could delay your returns indefinitely.

For investors seeking fewer barriers and lower acquisition costs, Park County presents an attractive secondary option—still close enough to Breckenridge to draw spillover demand, but with friendlier entry points for STR permits.

Local Management Matters

Regulations aside, operating a compliant and profitable short-term rental in the mountains takes local expertise. From snow removal to guest screening and marketing optimization, partnering with a trusted management team is essential.

That’s where SkyRun Breckenridge can help. We combine local service with data-driven pricing tools to help you maximize revenue while staying compliant.

Ready to Explore Your Investment Options?

Get a free rental revenue projection and learn which zones currently allow STR licensing.
Call SkyRun Breckenridge or visit skyrun.com/breckenridge/managment to get started.

Smart. Local. Trusted.
Breckenridge vacation rental management you can rely on.