Planning commission approves two short‑term rentals in Boulder and Old Hatch Town Road

The Garfield County Planning Commission voted to approve two short‑term rental permits during its meeting. An unidentified staff member (Speaker 3) described the first application as “just 1 short term rental for the main home there,” noting the property on Hell’s Backbone Road in Boulder had passed inspection and that a business license would follow.

Speaker 4 moved to approve the Thorne conditional use permit; Speaker 1 seconded. The commission members present voiced their support and the motion carried with verbal ayes.

The commission then considered a short‑term rental application for Chelsea Durden on Old Hatch Town Road in the Hatch area. Staff (Speaker 3) said the unit — which consists of two shipping‑container units with a large deck and air conditioning — had already passed final building and short‑term rental inspections and had been operating informally for around two years. “She’s already passed the short term rental and the just final building inspection,” Speaker 3 said.

Speaker 2 moved to approve the Durden short‑term rental; Speaker 1 seconded. The motion carried with verbal ayes.

Commissioners and attendees who spoke during both items described the property owners as responsible and noted local familiarity with the sites. In one instance, an attendee recounted being welcomed into an owner’s home late at night during a winter emergency, a personal anecdote offered in support of the applicants.

No penalties, conditions, or vote counts beyond verbal approval were recorded in the transcript. Staff indicated that, for the Thorne parcel, inspection was complete and a business license would be issued following the conditional use approval. The commission moved on to other agenda items after approving both permits.