Regardless of the results of Colorado’s legislative elections in November, one thing is certain for Western Slope winners: They will be asked to weigh in on debates over short-term rentals, vacation homes and housing affordability.

How the state should be involved in these issues has been one of the most contentious topics at the Capitol in recent years, with no sign of the arguments stopping any time soon. So far, efforts to classify second-home owners differently and increase taxes on short-term rentals have failed, but lawmakers have pledged to pursue the concepts.

During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers received hundreds of emails regarding two invoices ultimately unsuccessful this would have almost quadrupled taxes for certain propertiesincluding Airbnb, Vrbo and other rentals.

Other invoices included measures provide fewer tax breaks for vacation home owners. The legislators having hinted they will bring this concept back in future sessions.

The Colorado Association of Ski Towns, also known as CAST, recently announced a list of political ideas he wants state lawmakers to continue that effort, including allowing local governments to tax short-term rentals and vacant homes and creating fees for real estate transfers.

Here’s what candidates in races for several seats on the Western Slope said about these ideas.

District 57: Velasco vs. Waller

House District 57 encompasses Pitkin and Garfield counties and the southwestern part of Eagle County. The candidates there are incumbent Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, and real estate businessman Caleb Waller, R-Silt.

Velasco was opposed to Senate Bill 233, the short-term rental bill considered earlier this year that would have taxed short-term rentals occupied for more than 90 days a year as lodging properties instead than residential.

But the lawmaker said she supports ideas proposed by the Colorado Ski Area Association, including allowing local governments to ask voters to impose taxes on vacant homes and short-term rentals.

“I think the local community needs to create their own solutions,” she said, “and this would ensure that we protect local control.” »

Instead of requiring a certain level of taxation for short-term rental taxes, as Senate Bill 33 proposed, the Colorado Ski Area Association is proposing to simply allow local governments to set a tax rate for properties if their community supports it.

She also plans to one day sponsor a bill that would authorize a real estate transfer fee and have the revenue go toward affordable housing, she said.

“It’s about local communities being able to raise funds for affordable housing projects,” she said. “Right now, they absolutely need the support of the state and federal delegation.”

Waller, who owns short-term rental properties in Silt, said he supports the idea that some short-term rental owners would pay more in property taxes.

“When an individual moves from outside – say five or six rentals per night – I think they should be treated like the hotel industry and pay the same tax that the hotel industries pay,” he said. he declared.

He also said that while he generally leans toward a free market approach, he is open to having conversations about other ideas proposed by the Colorado Association of Ski Towns. He called the tax on vacant homes “an interesting idea.”

“The status quo is not working,” he said. “I’m willing to compromise if it’s in the best interest of the people in my district.”

District 13: McCluskie vs. Williams

The race to represent House District 13 – which covers Chaffee, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Park and Summit counties – is between House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and businessman Dave Williams, R-Buena Vista.

McCluskie has opposed bills this year to increase taxes on some short-term rentals and said she would prefer to leave regulation in the hands of local officials.

“I believe municipalities and counties have worked hard to find the right balance,” McCluskie said. “I really defer to these local leaders because they are reaching out to their communities to try to create something specific to their community.”

McCluskie would not say whether she supported the Colorado Association of Ski Towns’ proposals and said she would not have a position until she sees the details presented in the bill.

Williams said he would “never support anything at the state level” that targets short-term rentals or second homes, adding that raising taxes would only hurt the viability of rentals. holidays that are intrinsically linked to local economies.

He said he doesn’t think taxation or regulation would make vacation homes or short-term rental properties more accessible to local workers.

“I don’t see how the government getting involved in this could improve the situation,” Williams said.

Senate District 5: Buerger vs. Catlin

Senate District 5 includes all of Pitkin, Gunnison and Hinsdale counties and portions of Delta, Montrose, Garfield and Eagle counties. The candidates are businessman Cole Buerger, D-Glenwood Springs, and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose.

Buerger said that while he believes local control and protection of small, short-term rental operations is essential, he wants to discourage empty housing.

“All revenues from this should be used to finance more affordable and accessible housing through public and private partnerships or the affordable housing loan fund created by the state years ago,” he said. he declared.

Catlin also said he wants to protect family operations and emphasizes the importance of private property rights when asked about short-term rentals.

“There are retirees who rent accommodation to supplement their income. These are not the people we should be trying to drive out of the market,” he said.

District 26: Butler vs. Lukens

House District 26 includes Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties and most of Eagle County. The race takes place between incumbent Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, and veteran and former Craig City Council member Nathan Butler, R-Craig.

Lukens said she believes local governments should be empowered to regulate short-term rentals and tax vacant or second homes if their community supports it.

“Some communities in Northwest Colorado have already successfully implemented short-term rental tax measures,” she said.

Butler said he has not yet developed a policy position on these ideas, but generally does not support tax increases.

“We must first reduce unnecessary spending before trying to increase our tax revenues,” he said.

Ballots have been mailed and Election Day is November 5.

Robert Tann contributed to this story.