Larimer County commissioners deny Goblins Castle short‑term rental and appeal over road and safety concerns

At a Larimer County land‑use hearing, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously denied a short‑term rental application and the applicant’s appeal to relax local roadway standards for a property on Goblins Castle Road in the Estes Park area.

Staff told the board the application for a 2‑bedroom plus one sleeping area short‑term rental to host up to six guests (file 25Zone3753) failed to meet multiple review criteria and that the applicant’s appeal to Appendix G roadway width and longitudinal grade standards did not satisfy the county’s appeal criteria. The development services team recommended denial.

The review focused on two technical roadway standards. County staff and referral engineering review noted the Appendix G minimum roadway width is 20 feet; survey data presented by the applicant’s engineer showed a narrow location about 14 feet wide and an average width around 18 feet for the route. Appendix G’s normal maximum longitudinal grade is 10 percent, with limited allowances up to 12 percent; the applicant’s engineering evaluation identified multiple steep…