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2026 Colorado Election Results: What Vacation Rental Owners Need to Know

Colorado's 2026 election is over. The results set the stage for a new legislative session starting in 2027, and for vacation rental owners and property managers across the state, the next few months are a critical window to build relationships and make your voice heard.

Here's a breakdown of what happened and what it means for your business.

A New Governor Takes Office in January

Phil Weiser (D) won the governor's race with 61% of the vote, defeating Republican Victor Marx. Weiser, currently Colorado's Attorney General, takes office January 12, 2027.

His campaign focused on housing affordability, public safety, health care, and workforce development. For vacation rental owners, the areas to watch are his administration's approach to property taxation, local government authority over short-term rentals, and tourism-related policy. A new governor means new agency leadership and new regulatory priorities. The 2027 session will be the first real signal of where those priorities land.

Mountain District Legislators

The legislators representing Colorado's core vacation rental markets largely held their positions:

  • Senate District 8 (Eagle County, Summit County, Vail Valley, Grand County): Dylan Roberts (D) leads with approximately 60% of the vote.
  • House District 26 (Vail Valley, central mountains): Meghan Lukens (D) leads with approximately 59%.
  • House District 57 (Aspen, Roaring Fork Valley): Elizabeth Velasco (D) leads with approximately 63%.
  • House District 13 (Summit County, Grand County, Winter Park): Consuelo Redhorse (D) leads with approximately 59%.
  • House District 58 (Telluride, San Miguel County): Republican incumbent Larry Don Suckla retained his seat after the Democratic challenger withdrew.
  • House District 49 (Clear Creek County): Lesley Smith (D) leads with approximately 68%.

These are the districts where vacation rentals are a meaningful part of the local economy. The elected officials here will be directly involved in any state-level conversations about short-term rental regulation, local tax authority, and housing policy. Building or maintaining a working relationship with your district's representative is worth the effort.

Statewide Ballot Measures: The Ones That Matter to Owners

Amendment 87 – Graduated Income Tax (Passed, 50.56%)

Colorado's flat income tax structure will be replaced with graduated rates. Lower-income taxpayers will see lower rates; higher-income taxpayers will pay more. If your rental income puts you in a higher bracket, this is worth a conversation with your accountant before the 2027 tax year.

Proposition 136 – Income Tax Rate Cap (Failed, 47.18%)

A proposal to cap income tax rates at the current 4.4% was rejected by voters. Combined with Amendment 87's passage, the direction on income taxation is clear.

Proposition NN – TABOR Revenue Cap for Education (Passed, 55.44%)

The state will retain additional revenue that would otherwise be refunded under TABOR, directing it toward K-12 education. This doesn't directly affect rental operations, but it reflects the broader fiscal direction the state is moving.

Proposition 137 – Sporting Goods Sales Tax for Conservation (Passed, 50.20%)

Existing sporting goods sales tax revenue will be dedicated to conservation, parks, and outdoor programs. For owners in mountain communities, this is a net positive: well-funded parks and trails are part of what draws guests to Colorado in the first place.

The Work Ahead

Election results are a starting point, not an outcome. The 2027 legislative session is where the real decisions get made, and the vacation rental community's ability to influence those decisions depends on how well-connected owners and operators are with their elected officials before the session begins.

COSTRA (Colorado Short-Term Rental Alliance) is the primary advocacy organization for the industry in Colorado. If you're not already engaged with their legislative updates, now is a good time to get connected.

Our message to policymakers is straightforward: vacation rentals are part of Colorado's tourism economy. They support local employment, generate tax revenue, and give visitors access to communities that wouldn't otherwise have enough hotel inventory to serve them. That story is worth telling, and it's most effective when it comes directly from owners.

If you have questions about how any of this might affect your property or your management agreement, reach out to our team. We stay close to the legislative landscape so we can give you an honest read on what's coming.