FAQs • Telluride, CO • CivicEngage

How much does a business license cost?: The cost is determined by how many employees work in the Town of Telluride. For out of town businesses, please indicate on your application how many employees will be physically present in the Town of Telluride, not the total employees in the business. For a short-term rental licenses, the cost is determined by the license category and how many sleeping rooms (including lofts/nooks) are in the property. See Telluride Municipal Code Section 6-1-20.

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Town Clerk - Business Licensing

1. How much does a business license cost?: The cost is determined by how many employees work in the Town of Telluride. For out of town businesses, please indicate on your application how many employees will be physically present in the Town of Telluride, not the total employees in the business. For a short-term rental licenses, the cost is determined by the license category and how many sleeping rooms (including lofts/nooks) are in the property. See Telluride Municipal Code Section 6-1-20.

2. When does my business license expire?: All business licenses expire December 31st and must be renewed January 1st. Payment for business licenses is due no later than January 31st for the 2024 licensing year. STR business licenses that are active on December 31st 2023 will be granted a grace period until the new STR software is ready in mid January - early February. STR license fees will be due April 1st due to the timeline of the software launch.

3. What if I only do business at the end of the year? Will my license be prorated?: Licenses are only prorated in the final quarter of the year (October 1). The fee is half off the regular fee.

4. My office is not located in town. Do I need a license?: If you have any physical presence in town, i.e. meeting clients, advertising, delivering goods in exchange for money, a business license is required.

5. What if I ship goods to Telluride through a common carrier, I don’t advertise my business in town, and I don’t have any kind of physical presence? Do I need a business license?: No. If you do not have a physical presence in the Town of Telluride, you do not need a business license, however, a sales tax license may be required. To apply for a sales tax license, follow these instructions. The process is the same as obtaining a business license., but during the application process, indicate in the description that you need a sales tax license only. The business license administrator will approve you for a zero-fee business license with an attached, non-expiring, sales tax license.

6. I’m registered with the State of Colorado. Isn’t that all I need?: No. Telluride is a Home Rule Municipality and requires all business license owners doing business within the Town of Telluride to have a local business license, as well as being registered with the state. We also self-collect sales tax, so you will pay tax to the state and to the Town of Telluride separately.

7. I’m no longer doing business in Telluride, and/or I sold my house/condo. Is there anything I need to do?: Yes. Please contact the Telluride business license administrator at (970) 728-2159 to inform them of the sale date so they may close your account. You will continue to receive email notifications until your account is closed. An account cannot be closed until all taxes owed the Town have been remitted. Upon the sale of a property, a STR license must be closed, and the new owner must apply for a new STR license.

8. I’m selling my business/home/condo. Can the new owner take over my MUNIRevs account?: If the tax identification information will remain the same, then yes. If a new business entity will be formed with a new tax identification number, then your account must be closed, and the new owner must apply for a new account. Business licenses are non-transferable.

9. My house/condo is in the Residential Zone. I did my MUNIRevs paperwork and have been waiting for an approval so I can pay for my license. What’s the hold up?: Before your license can be approved, you must submit a notarized Residential Rental Affidavit (Affidavit) to the Town. There are rental restrictions in the Residential Zone and the Affidavit is required pursuant to Telluride Land Use Code Division 6. A new business license will not be approved until the Affidavit is submitted.

10. What are the restrictions for short-term rentals in the Residential Zone?: You may rent your property for no more than three times in a year (Jan-Dec). These rentals may not accumulate to more than 29 days total. A rental that begins in one year and ends in the next shall count for the year it begins. For example, December 21 - January 5. However, taxes must be split and remitted for their corresponding month totals. If you rent over the amount, your account will be processed by the legal department and you could be fined up to $1,000 per day of violation.

11. I don’t have a computer. Can I just fill out paperwork to apply for my business license?: No. The Town of Telluride utilizes a paperless business licensing system called MUNIRevs. Electronic applications are required to be submitted through telluride.munirevs.com. A computer kiosk is available in the lobby at Town Hall, and there are several computers available for use at the Wilkinson Public Library.