Wednesday, DECEMBER 3, 2025 |
Photo – Mural on building in Encampment – Bigfoot99 file photo
While the Town of Encampment has banned short‑term rentals, at least temporarily, officials in Riverside are not ready to follow suit.
On October 9th, the Encampment Town Council adopted Resolution 2025‑07, placing a moratorium on short‑term rental permits. Opponents argue that the growth of online lodging platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo is reducing the supply of affordable housing and contributing to a decline in service‑industry workers.
To curb the influx of short‑term rentals and lodging houses, Encampment’s governing body placed a temporary moratorium on permits allowing residents to rent out their homes. The measure will remain in effect while town officials study how temporary lodging impacts property values, resident safety, and the availability of long‑term housing.
Before the ban was officially adopted, the Town Council considered one last conditional use permit for a short‑term lodging house approximately one block north of the Grand Encampment Museum. The permit application indicated that the property would be used both by visiting family members and out-of-town guests.
A meeting attendee recommended postponing the vote until the governing body decided on the moratorium on short‑term rental permits. However, Councilman Steve Reichert moved to approve the application with Councilwoman Susan Munson seconding. Councilmembers Ashley McKinny and Stas Banach voted against the motion. Mayor Shannon Fagan cast the deciding vote in favor of approving the permit application.
Mayor Fagan said that she supported the measure because the request was submitted before the short‑term rental moratorium took effect. It fell under existing ordinances. The mayor added that the application could not be stopped once it was in progress, even as officials looked at changing it.
A meeting attendee complained that the Town Council was not listening to their constituents on the matter. Councilman Banach said that two members of the governing body agreed with the individual, himself and Councilwoman McKinny. Councilman Reichert said that he voted to approve the application over concerns that denying it could open the town to a lawsuit over private property rights. Other meeting attendees also expressed disappointment that their voices were not being heard.
Officials in Riverside are considering if a similar ordinance is necessary. During the November 13th Riverside Town Council meeting, the governing body discussed Encampment’s short-term rental moratorium. Mayor Leroy Stephenson stated that at this time, Riverside does not face the same challenges as its neighboring town. However, Mayor Stephenson recommended beginning discussions on how the community should address the issue before short‑term rentals become a problem. The mayor said he would prepare a draft resolution for the governing body to consider at a future meeting.
