Month: December 2019

On December 12th, Westword published an article sharing the news that a Denver judge has exonerated Aaron Elinoff by dismissing the felony charges claiming that he was trying to cheat the system with his short-term rental license.

While some City Representatives applaud the use of the affidavit as a means of enforcement, we can see the potential havoc it can cause in an individual’s life as well. If the city’s goal is to have fewer short-term rentals, then the affidavit is successfully accomplishing this. On the other hand, if the city is looking for harmony and supports this community, then a focus on solutions to address the problems would seem like a more diplomatic approach.

We are happy to see Elinoff’s name be cleared and so he can get back to life with his family and focus on work. It makes us wonder how many rule-abiding hosts forfeited their license out of fear of having their reputation damaged and mugshot blasted globally?

Photo: Aaron Elinoff had been fighting against a felony charge related to his short term rental application / Courtesy of Aaron Elinoff

The December 10th STRAC meeting reflected a significantly more positive and collaborative tone towards home-sharing. The Good Neighbor Summit made it into the news headline summary slide, and several members of STRAC & Denver City acknowledged that Denver has a highly engaged and solution-oriented host community. Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer (Dist. 5) was there alongside Councilwoman Candi Cdebaca (Dist. 9) who sat in for Councilman Kevin Flynn.

The proposed regulation to limit short-term rentals to 183 days per year was taken off the table, but more proposals to further clarify primary residence are still coming. The session ended with several well delivered public comments that even further portrayed the positive and collaborative culture we are building here in Denver.

Did you want to share something during Public Comment or in response to something that was presented? If so you can submit your comments here: STR@denvergov.org and CC milehighhosts@gmail.com so we can track hosts’ comments. Use “STRAC Public Comment” as the email subject line.

Join us at the next STRAC meeting at 4PM on Tuesday, February 11th at Webb Building at 201 W Colfax Ave. Rooms 4.F.6 and 4.G