WEEK OF JULY 27, 2023
VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 37
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Two weekends still to go for 2023 Colorado Renaissance Festival
Short-term rental rules in Douglas County make for patchwork map BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
is unique in that it’s very interactive with visitors, Ekiss said. “We try very hard to achieve a fully immersive experience where everywhere you look, you’re being pulled into the scene and you’re being made part of the village rather than just walking through and experiencing it,” she said. “I think we try very hard to make everyone apart of the show.” She said there is something for
Douglas County officials heard opposition to short-term rentals in recent months, and some area residents may feel concerned about the county’s decision to explicitly allow the rentals in certain parts of Douglas. But a close look at the county’s policy shows that there are large stretches of the county where short-term rentals — short stays at a property booked through sites like Airbnb or Vrbo — aren’t allowed. The county’s new ordinance, approved at the July 11 county commissioners meeting, requires property owners to apply for licenses to operate homes as short-term rental properties. The ordinance defines a short‐ term rental as lasting less than 30 consecutive days. It applies to unincorporated parts of Douglas County — areas outside of municipalities. Under the new law, the moderately populated unincorporated areas where short-term rentals are allowed include Franktown, Louviers, Sedalia, areas west of Larkspur, areas generally east of Parker and some others, aside from areas known as planned developments. Short-term rentals are also allowed in other small residential pockets of the county, such as
SEE FESTIVAL, P10
SEE RENTALS, P8
Patrons wait for the castle gate to open at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
eat children. Signature event in Larkspur witches Kristy Ekiss, operations manager Queen Anne of the festival, said wrapping up 46th season and the 16th-century medieval amuseBY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When patrons cross the threshold of the Colorado Renaissance Festival castle gate they are transported to a world where knights fight to the death, royalty glide down the village streets, fairies flutter about and
ment park is about to complete its 46th season of operation. Patrons can visit the park for the last times this year on July 29-30 and Aug. 6-7. Ekiss said this season has been wonderful and, like previous years, has had a great response from people. With around 100 cast members, the Colorado Renaissance Festival
VOICES: 12 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 17
PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY
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