County in Colorado to crack down on vacation rentals

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — Colorado officials have announced plans to ensure visitors renting private homes pay lodging and sales taxes as they would if they stayed in a hotel.

The Durango Herald reported Tuesday that residents in La Plata County must obtain a Colorado business license for short-term rentals, but not everyone complies with the rules. More than 1,200 short-term rentals were estimated in the county in November. A report says they generated about $1.2 million in revenue.

County officials say there is no way to know exactly how many rentals exist or how much tax money is being lost.