The Montezuma County commissioners are considering implementing a permit system for short-term rentals. The commissioners and planning director Don Haley voiced concerns about the popular rentals during a lengthy discussion at their workshop Monday. Chairman Jim Candelaria said in 2019 the board opted not to regulate the rentals but he now believes that regulation is needed. Haley said half the calls the planning department receives are from people looking to buy property for short-term housing. Short-term rentals have become highly controversial statewide. On Monday, the group said local impacts include conformance with the land-use code, whether lodgers taxes are being collected, and effects on traditional motels. Haley said because they are more lucrative, short-term rentals are edging out long-term rentals, reducing affordable housing. The county attorney, Stephen Tarnowski, said he’ll work on a draft ordinance for future consideration.
In the second such demonstration in two weeks, more than 330 people marched on Saturday morning in Cortez to protest actions by the Trump administration. They carried signs with messages such as “Billionaires Don’t Care About You,” “Fight Truth Decay,” “Dump the Dictator,” and “OMG GOP WTF.” The rally was organized by the League of Women Voters of Montezuma County. It was one of hundreds of rallies nationwide.
