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City may enforce short‑term rental rule after judge denies preliminary injunction; residents raise concerns about door postings
Summary
A Teller County judge denied a preliminary injunction in the short‑term rental lawsuit, allowing Woodland Park to enforce Ordinance 14‑69; residents told council they object to city staff placing cease‑and‑desist signs on doors and asked for clearer, more considerate communications.
A Teller County District Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction in litigation over Woodland Park’s short‑term rental ordinance, Ordinance 14‑69, the city attorney told the council on March 20, clearing the way for enforcement while the court considers remaining claims.
City Attorney Jeff Wilson said the court’s order denying the preliminary injunction means “the city can enforce it at this time.” Wilson added defendants’ motion to dismiss the remaining declaratory judgment claims is pending; if that motion is granted the lawsuit ends, if denied the case will move to discovery and potentially to summary judgment or trial.
At the same meeting, multiple residents told council they object to the method the city used to notify property owners. Mary Sekowsky, representing the Teller County STR Alliance, said the city recently sent two city employees to post large cease‑and‑desist signs on short‑term rental doors and argued a mailed certified letter to owners would have been more professional and less upsetting to tenants and caretakers who discovered the signs.
“I would like to see more grace and care taken in the enforcement,” Sekowsky said, adding that many owners have already removed listings, shifted to longer‑term rentals, or prepared to sell because of the ordinance.
Another caller, Andrew Smith, said he is a homeowner who will be at his Woodland Park property this weekend and has a notice on his door that he wants removed; staff responded in the meeting that they will reach out to him and help resolve the issue.
City Manager Aaron Vasilotti told council staff sent certified letters to owners and posted signs and that the city phone number listed on the notice has already generated about 30 calls. He said staff will continue to monitor listings on Airbnb and Vrbo and to respond to owner inquiries.
Why it matters: The court ruling allows the city to enforce the ordinance while litigation proceeds on other questions. Residents who oppose the enforcement method say posting notices on doors can harm tenants and caretakers and urged more direct outreach to owners.
What’s next: The defendants’ motion to dismiss the declaratory judgment claim is pending in district court; if denied, the case will proceed through discovery.
No formal council action was required at the meeting; city staff said they will continue enforcement consistent with the court’s order and are fielding owner calls.
