Should You Allow Dogs at Your Colorado Mountain Short Term Rental? The Financial Reality

evergreenescapesco
Apr 29
3 min read

"Be the person your dog thinks you are"

— C.J. Frick

You're listing your mountain property in Divide or Idaho Springs on Airbnb. One of the first questions you'll face: Do you allow dogs?

It's not a small decision. It affects your booking frequency, your damage risk, your cleaning costs, and your guest reviews.

Here's the actual data and the decision framework you need.

The Financial Argument For Allowing Dogs

Pet-friendly rentals book 20-30% more frequently than non-pet-friendly rentals on Airbnb, especially in mountain destinations. Families planning a Colorado mountain escape often have dogs. They're not just searching for vacation rentals. They're searching for dog-friendly vacation rentals.

Colorado's mountain towns are dog havens. Pikes Peak, Mueller State Park, forest trails around Woodland Park, hiking near Idaho Springs. All of these are premium dog destinations. Guests with dogs actively search for properties that welcome them.

If you allow dogs, you:

Access a larger booking pool
Increase occupancy rates
Can charge a pet fee ($50 to $150 per stay) on top of your nightly rate
Often get excellent reviews from pet owners (who tend to be meticulous guests)

A property that books 70% of the year at $200 per night is generating $51,100 annually. The same property, allowing dogs and hitting 85% occupancy, might generate $65,000 or more, accounting for slightly lower nightly rates and pet fees.

That's an extra $14,000 or more annually from a policy change.

The Financial Argument Against Allowing Dogs

Dogs do damage. Not always. Most dog owners are responsible. But occasionally, they do.

You're looking at:

Increased cleaning costs ($50 to $150 per dog stay)
Risk of chewed furniture, damaged floors, or urine accidents requiring deep cleaning or repairs
Potential liability issues if a guest's dog injures someone or damages property
Stricter insurance requirements (some policies charge extra for pet-friendly rentals)
Neighbor relations issues with barking, dogs escaping, or other problems

One dog-related damage incident, like a destroyed couch or deep stains requiring professional remediation, could cost $2,000 to $5,000 or more. That wipes out months of pet fees.

How to Actually Make This Decision

Here's the framework:

Know your market. If your Colorado mountain property is in a dog-centric area near hiking, close to Pikes Peak, Divide, or Woodland Park, allowing dogs is likely a net positive. If it's in a residential area where dogs might upset neighbors, it's riskier.
Get the right insurance. Talk to your property insurance agent. Some policies exclude pet-friendly rentals entirely. Others charge extra. Know your actual cost before you decide.
Set clear boundaries. If you allow dogs, you set the rules. Example: Maximum 2 dogs per stay. No dogs over 70 lbs. $150 pet fee per stay in addition to nightly rate. Refundable $500 pet damage deposit. Check-out requirement: all dog hair vacuumed, pet items removed, damage inspection.
Invest in protection. If you allow dogs, use washable, pet-resistant furniture covers. Use vinyl or tile flooring instead of carpet for easier cleaning. Keep rugs and nice furniture away from common areas. Install pet gates to restrict access to certain rooms. Keep enzymatic cleaner in stock for accidents.
Manage the guest. Screen for pet-related details in guest reviews and messages. If a guest's previous reviews mention their dog damaged properties, you can decline the booking.
Monitor the numbers. Track actual costs of dog-related cleaning and damage. After 3 to 6 months, you'll know your real return on investment. If damage costs are eating your pet fees, reassess.

The Honest Take

Most successful Colorado short term rental operators allow dogs, but they do it strategically. They have quality insurance, protective furnishings, clear policies, and good screening.

If you're risk-averse or live in a neighborhood where dogs would be problematic, don't allow them. Your stress and liability aren't worth the incremental booking.

If you're managing your property professionally or using a cohost operator, a pet-friendly policy usually increases revenue significantly. The extra bookings and pet fees offset the additional cleaning and risk.

The key is being intentional. Don't allow dogs because everyone else does. Allow them because your market demands it, your property can handle it, and your insurance covers it.

Tony and Natalie manage top Colorado vacation properties, including several pet-friendly cabins across Divide, Idaho Springs, and Woodland Park. They've seen what works with pet policies and what generates headaches.