This site is about Short Term Rentals in Big Elk Meadows.

I try to document STR applications and what we can do as a community to oppose them. The last 2 applications in Larimer County were denied. The commissioners seem to listen to community feedback and are concerned about potential impact to the environment.

I am NOT in favor of STRs.

Here is what I sent to Larimer County regarding the application for a prior application:

When I think of Big Elk Meadows I think: neighborhood. I love that we wave to each other as we pass by in our cars and that we pay $80 for a plate of brownies at fundraisers. We are a small community with a fragile balance. I believe that short term rentals will disrupt that balance.

We have a small ecosystem in BEM. There are about 160 homes. A cabin that is an STR will have a very different impact from a cabin that is owner occupied or rented to a long term renter. The STR occupants are on vacation, they are transients. The majority may be very respectful, but if even a small percentage aren’t respectful of our fragile infrastructure, it could have a large impact to our small community. Other, larger communities, can absorb this impact, we cannot.

The environment we have, with our roads, traffic, water, trash and all the wonderful wildlife need balance. Turning properties into businesses is not conducive to this balance.

As an approver for these requests I wonder if you have an exact number of STRs that you would consider approving. If not, why not? How many, what percentage, do you consider too many for our community to handle. I feel we should not have any.

We live in the mountains for the peaceful tranquility, not to live next to a vacation rental with different people every week.

Our community is not structured for this type of a business to operate, please do not approve any STRs in our community.