The Colorado Mountain Towns No One Is Talking About—But Everyone Should Be Investing In (2026 STR Guide)
If you’ve been searching for a profitable Colorado short-term rental and keep hearing,
“Good luck, nothing cash flows anymore in this market,”
I want to introduce you to a different side of the Rockies—one most investors overlook entirely.
Because while everyone else is fixated on their perception of high demand rental markets like Breckenridge, Estes Park, Vail, and Winter Park… the real returns are happening quietly in towns like:
✨ Alma
✨ Fairplay
✨ Bailey
✨Divide
✨Florissant
✨ Cripple Creek
✨ And the unincorporated pockets of Boulder County
If you’re thinking, “Who’s actually booking vacations there?”
Well—plot twist: these towns are some of the most profitable STR markets in the entire state.
And yes, the data backs it up. AirDNA demand scores don’t lie.
Welcome to the silent winners of Colorado STR investing in 2025.
Why These “Unpopular” Mountain Towns Are Secretly STR Goldmines
Most investors chase the towns they’ve heard of. It’s human nature. But the short-term rental market doesn’t reward name recognition—it rewards:
High occupancy
Affordable entry prices
Flexible or investor-friendly regulations
Unique guest demand
High bedroom counts (the true hack for driving revenue)
What Alma, Fairplay, Teller County, Gilpin County, and Unincorporated Boulder County all have in common is simple:
They check every single box.
And most investors have absolutely no idea.
Park County: The Sleeper Hit With Wild Cash Flow Potential
Towns to Watch: Alma, Fairplay, Bailey
Park County is one of the most misunderstood STR markets in Colorado.
From the outside, people assume it’s “too rural” or “too quiet” or “too far from attractions.”
But here’s what experienced investors actually know:
Park County has some of the highest occupancy rates for single-family STRs.
Entry prices are dramatically lower than Summit County—yet you’re only 30-60 minutes from Breckenridge.
Regulations are still investor-friendly, especially for standalone homes.
7-bedroom cabins here are unicorns—and unicorns print money.
When clients send me their AirDNA reports for this area, they’re often shocked. The demand is there. The nightly rates are strong. And the calendar stays consistently booked.
I’ve watched investors pick up Fairplay or Bailey properties for half the price of a Summit County cabin—yet outperform them because of design, bedroom count, and smart amenity choices.
Teller County
Towns to Watch: Divide, Woodland Park, Cripple Creek
Teller County has a loyal (and growing) tourist base thanks to:
Casinos
Pike’s Peak
4-season outdoor recreation
Proximity to Colorado Springs
What makes it special for investors:
Steady, predictable occupancy, even outside peak seasons
A healthy blend of families, hikers, couples, and adventure travelers
Regulations that still allow STR operation without jumping through endless hoops
Properties with large lots—ideal for hot tubs, saunas, decks, and privacy experiences guests pay a premium for
When investors tell me they want cash flow with stability, this is one of the first places I point them.
Gilpin County
Towns to Watch: Unincorporated Black Hawk, Unincorporated Central City, Rollinsville
Gilpin County is incredibly unique because demand is high—but supply is very limited, and so are the STR licenses as there is a few month waitlist currently.
Why that matters:
Your property stands out immediately once you do have a license
Guests book here for a mix of casino weekends + mountain escapes
Nightly rates hold surprisingly strong
The county’s small size keeps competition low
For investors who don’t want to fight saturated markets, this is a powerful play.
Unincorporated Boulder County: Luxury Mountain Stays Without the Red Tape
This is one of the biggest “loopholes” in Colorado STR investing—and nearly every investor misses it.
Unincorporated Boulder County is not Boulder city, which means:
STR regulations are significantly less restrictive
You can offer luxury mountain experiences without Boulder’s intense permitting structure
Larger lots allow for the amenities that drive premium ADRs:
Game rooms
Barrel saunas
Cold plunges
Hot tubs
Theatre rooms
Sundance is coming to Boulder in 2027, you’ll want a beautiful STR for movie stars to rent
This is where high-earning professionals and hybrid house hackers win.
Because the guest demand for high-end stays near Boulder is—and will always be—massive.
“But Christina… how are properties cash-flowing with 7% interest rates?”
Here’s the truth:
Most aren’t.
But the right properties do.
And almost every single one of my cash-flowing clients in 2024–2025 has something in common:
They bought in counties like Park, Teller, Gilpin, or Unincorporated Boulder.
They didn’t chase the name-brand ski towns.
They chased:
Bedroom count
Privacy
Amenities
Smart design and photos
This is how you win in Colorado right now.
Real Clients. Real Returns. Real Data.
When I show clients the actual numbers from recent Park County and Teller County STR purchases—before renovations, before design upgrades—they finally understand why these towns are exploding.
With the right design, photography, amenities, and pricing strategy, it’s not unusual to see:
70–85% occupancy
$300–700+ nightly rates depending on bedroom count
Mid-term demand from traveling nurses and remote workers
Strong seasonal peaks during ski months, summer, and fall foliage
You don’t need Breckenridge pricing to get Breckenridge bookings.
You just need to be 30 minutes away with a better guest experience.
Want My Full Breakdown of Colorado’s Most Profitable STR Towns?
I created a full guide covering the top-producing, under-the-radar Colorado markets for 2025—including:
Average home prices
STR regulations
Occupancy insight
What guests actually book
My “Top 3 Neighborhood Picks” per county
📌 Download the Lead Magnet:
The Colorado Mountain Town STR Guide 2025—The Silent Winners Edition
(Link here)
Final Thoughts: The Opportunity Is Still Here—If You Know Where to Look
Despite what social media says…
Despite the headlines…
Despite the interest rates…
There are STILL profitable short-term rentals in Colorado.
You just have to stop searching where everyone else is searching.
The real money in 2025 is being made in the places people overlook.
And if you want help finding one of these properties—or analyzing a deal you already found—I’d love to support you.
Whether you want to:
House hack your basement
Reduce taxable income
Build your STR portfolio
Or buy your first investment property in Colorado
…you’re in the right place.