Post by High Priestess on May 30, 2016 5:46:51 GMT
Vivienne shared on Boulder Hosts
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-102029
Viviennea year ago
Cease and Desist Letter from the City of Boulder
Apparently the City of Boulder has sent out cease and desist letters to many Boulder hosts. They cite a complaint but it seems like too many people are getting them at the same time to be a coincidence.
I have been anticipating this but I wonder what the lay of the land is. SF and NYC has gone through this, what did it look like? Did AirBnB get involved? Does anyone have any insight?
14 comments
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Charles
Charlesa year ago
Vivienne, Where did you hear about this? I haven't heard of any hosts getting these from the city yet.
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Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
I've been doing some research and I don't think it is a city-wide crackdown. I think it is an individual targeting AirBnB's in my neighborhood. I had a long talk with a former city councilwoman who is pro airbnb and the net of it is that anything under 30 days is illegal. The city of Boulder isn't interested in enforcing this law UNLESS someone files a complaint. If you get turned in, for any reason even if it is just operating an AirBnB or a VRBO, you are screwed.
The only thing to do is to be proactive and work with the city to legalize short term rentals otherwise we are all going to be at the mercy of a vindictive neighbor or business. I heard that hotels aren't against us, though, they just want us to pay taxes which is totally fair and reasonable.
I'm having a meeting tomorrow and will keep you all posted if you are interested.
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Charles
Charlesa year ago
Vivienne,
Good luck with your meeting. I am very interested in how your meeting goes. It is tough about the vindictive neighbors, I am a victim of one myself. I'm hoping Boulder will see the value in short term rentals and make it legal.
Like 1 reply
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
I am so sorry to hear this. I am of the opinion that we cannot just lay low and hope it doesn't happen to us. We need to organize and present the city with a positive and compelling case for why short term rental is not only the future of travel, but part of a better future for Boulder. I'll keep everyone posted.
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
Would love to know more about this too! I've heard quite a few rumors but not actually seen a letter!
Like
Zeona
Zeonaa year ago
I saw this today and want to do something about it: yourboulder.com/boulder-airbnb-vrbo/. Vivienne, I'm with you all the way. I am happy to help collect petition signatures and know many other hosts in town who will do the same. I believe that is the step to get it changed. We have to get it on the next ballot. I also have not heard of someone getting an actual letter, but I don't want to wait around for that. I want to push back before I get shut down.
Like 1 reply
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
I am working on starting up a local association of Boulder STR operators. Give me a few days to get the site up and running. I think a strong and positive voice at city council meetings is a good first step. We had a very productive meeting today where we discussed strategies to sell short term rentals to the city. This needs to happen. We can’t go along doing our business and hope that no one reports us, not when it’s our livelihood. I would like to encourage all of you to write a quick email to City Council encouraging them to address short term rentals (STR) this coming year. They are having a work retreat at the end of the month and we want to make sure that VRBO/AirBnB is addressed. I have it on good authority that the council is open to short term rentals, they just have a lot of other pressing issues. Keep your email short and POSITIVE. We are setting the tone here so talk about how great STR has been for you, how it can be good for Boulder (drawing tourism, collecting taxes, adding to the charm) and how you think STRs can be responsible neighbors. Make it personal, talk about how it allows you to thrive in Boulder. Here’s the email: (email hidden) If you are interested in learning more about being an advocate for Short Term Rentals, please check out this website. stradvocacy.org
Zeona
Zeonaa year ago
I just spoke to another host in Boulder about upcoming city council meetings in both Boulder and Denver where they are going to be speaking about this issue. He said Denver is the 10th and Boulder the 17th. We are talking about carpooling to Denver if anyone wants to join in. If there is a meeting of hosts in Boulder before the city council meeting, please let me know.
Like
Zeona
Zeonaa year ago
Vivienne, do you know the times/locations of these upcoming city council meetings in Boulder/Denver?
Like 2 replies
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
Meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays beginning at 6 PM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 1777 Broadway (at the southwest corner of Broadway and Canyon). You have the opportunity to speak to the Council to express your opinions about city issues. To help accommodate everyone, please follow these rules: You may sign up in-person beginning at 5 PM on the day of the City Council meeting or sign up online through Eventbrite. Eventbrite sign up is available after 4 PM on the Friday prior to the meeting through 4:30 PM the day of the meeting. If you have an electronic presentation, you need to send it to the City Clerk’s Office no later than 3:30 PM the day of the meeting. Please send it to (email hidden). Each speaker will be given three minutes to address council. If there are more than 15 speakers, each will have two minutes to speak. Please limit your time to city issues. Be clear, concise, and constructive. This is not a forum for personal attacks. Citizens may pool time with two other people allowing one of them to address council for five (5) minutes. All three people must be present at sign up and when the speaker is called. If there are more than 15 speakers, each will have four (4) minutes to speak. We may be unable to accommodate all the people who sign up within the 45 minute time period for Open Comment. In that case, it is up to the Mayor to determine how to proceed. You may be offered the opportunity to speak after the last public hearing item. Council receives the bulk of its communications electronically but, if you have prepared a written statement, you may give ten (10) copies to the City Clerk when you approach the podium to speak; the City Clerk will distribute your written statements as you speak. Please practice your statement ahead of time and keep it within the time limit. The green light will go on when you begin to speak. State your name and address and be sure to state what you would like to see done (constructive problem resolution). When half of your time has expired, the light will begin to flash. When you have 30 seconds remaining, the yellow light will come on to warn you that your time is almost up. When the red light comes on, your time is finished. Consent Agenda items and any item not scheduled for a public hearing can be addressed in the Open Comment section of the meeting, between 6 and 6:45 PM. You may speak once per comment period (once during Open Comment and once during Public Hearing) per meeting.
andrea
andreaa year ago
I will go to the Boulder city Council meeting on the 17th. can I get a show of hands who else would show up so we can all discuss issues prior to somebody speaking? getting our ducks in a row so to speak. my sister said she saw on the news last night that 266 hosts have been required to cease and desist-that's way more than 20. I think somebody's trolling the websites finding hosts and then reporting them. that is very scary. Geez, this is how I make my living.
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
Boulder is the first and third Tuesday Meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays beginning at 6 PM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 1777 Broadway (at the southwest corner of Broadway and Canyon). You have the opportunity to speak to the Council to express your opinions about city issues. To help accommodate everyone, please follow these rules:
You may sign up in-person beginning at 5 PM on the day of the City Council meeting or sign up online through Eventbrite. Eventbrite sign up is available after 4 PM on the Friday prior to the meeting through 4:30 PM the day of the meeting.
If you have an electronic presentation, you need to send it to the City Clerk’s Office no later than 3:30 PM the day of the meeting. Please send it to (email hidden).
Each speaker will be given three minutes to address council. If there are more than 15 speakers, each will have two minutes to speak. Please limit your time to city issues. Be clear, concise, and constructive. This is not a forum for personal attacks.
Citizens may pool time with two other people allowing one of them to address council for five (5) minutes. All three people must be present at sign up and when the speaker is called. If there are more than 15 speakers, each will have four (4) minutes to speak.
We may be unable to accommodate all the people who sign up within the 45 minute time period for Open Comment. In that case, it is up to the Mayor to determine how to proceed. You may be offered the opportunity to speak after the last public hearing item.
Council receives the bulk of its communications electronically but, if you have prepared a written statement, you may give ten (10) copies to the City Clerk when you approach the podium to speak; the City Clerk will distribute your written statements as you speak.
Please practice your statement ahead of time and keep it within the time limit. The green light will go on when you begin to speak. State your name and address and be sure to state what you would like to see done (constructive problem resolution). When half of your time has expired, the light will begin to flash. When you have 30 seconds remaining, the yellow light will come on to warn you that your time is almost up. When the red light comes on, your time is finished.
Consent Agenda items and any item not scheduled for a public hearing can be addressed in the Open Comment section of the meeting, between 6 and 6:45 PM.
You may speak once per comment period (once during Open Comment and once during Public Hearing) per meeting.
Like
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
This isn't as bad as I first thought.
If you look at the inventory in Boulder there are quite a few hosts that have quite a few apartments they don't live in (nor own) that they airbnb out full time. That is bad behavior and if an neighbor complains about it, well, they have a damn good point.
Like 1 reply
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
My feeling is that own occupied STRs will be legal (with a rental license) but the ones held by out of towners, management agencies, realtors won't fly. I don't know for sure, but that is my guess. The article was positive. Nowhere did it talk about axing STRs all together. I'm starting a local association of STRs to act as a clearinghouse for best practices, links, help getting started, etc. This hopefully will appeal to the city. Stay tuned.
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
Andrea: If it was the same news show I saw on Channel 7 (and those were my hands in it), it was 25 people. What channel was she looking at? Also, this won't be a discussion, it's an open mic where you are given 2-3 minutes to state your case. My advice, write out what you are going to say, practice and time it, print out copies because the council members might want to review it later. Remember, treat them as if they were on your side. We must take control of the narrative. We are friendly, responsible and cooperative. Talk about why STR is great for you, what you do to protect your community, and how you would like to be legal. I think they are on board.
Like 1 like
andrea
andreaa year ago
I believe it is a discussion- that discussion between hosts. (A discussion between the citizen and the Council- I get that)
personally, I'm certainly not going to go up in front of the Council and make my "pitch" !that's just not something I can do (because I'm not very good at it I lose my train of thought and would not be the best representative voice.
I am proposing when I use the word discussion is that we hosts get together, express all of our individual points, then one or more people go up in front of the Council and state all of the points.
I think each of us have our own unique perspectives on this and if we combine them and have one or two people present them, I think that would have an impact.
It also avoids redundancy.
we don't want to be a group that sounds like a broken record. what do you think?
It's clear to me that you have a full grasp on the workings of this type of environment and I appreciate that, and defer to you.
I strongly believe that we are a contingent. A contingent of individuals who have our individual, as well as overlapping issues, that we should exchange.
and then appoint one or two representatives to present our key points-as bullets, in those 2 to 3 minutes.
Like
Zeona
Zeonaa year ago
Vivienne, I wrote my email to the city council and received a reply thanking me and asking where my rentals were. That spooked me and I haven't replied. Has anyone else received that reply? Am I being too cautious.
Like 1 reply
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
I haven't gotten that response but they already know me. I spoke to them in 2014 and they never cracked down on me. The last round of letters were generated by an individual who reported them to the city. I don't think the city has an agenda to get rid of STRs, but I understand why you would be concerned. I guess I would reply something along the lines of unless you can have some assurance that you won't be singled out, you would prefer to hold onto your private information.
Cindy
Cindya year ago
I think it's prudent to be a little spooked. Maybe you could indicate a neighborhood.
Like
Sandy
Sandya year ago
For starters, don't post pics of the exterior of your place on Airbnb. I have been doing a minimum of a one-night stay but might bump it up to two nights as that way, the city would have to spend more money to get my address as they can only get the address if they book. Comments?
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-102029
Viviennea year ago
Cease and Desist Letter from the City of Boulder
Apparently the City of Boulder has sent out cease and desist letters to many Boulder hosts. They cite a complaint but it seems like too many people are getting them at the same time to be a coincidence.
I have been anticipating this but I wonder what the lay of the land is. SF and NYC has gone through this, what did it look like? Did AirBnB get involved? Does anyone have any insight?
14 comments
Follow
Like
Charles
Charlesa year ago
Vivienne, Where did you hear about this? I haven't heard of any hosts getting these from the city yet.
Like
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
I've been doing some research and I don't think it is a city-wide crackdown. I think it is an individual targeting AirBnB's in my neighborhood. I had a long talk with a former city councilwoman who is pro airbnb and the net of it is that anything under 30 days is illegal. The city of Boulder isn't interested in enforcing this law UNLESS someone files a complaint. If you get turned in, for any reason even if it is just operating an AirBnB or a VRBO, you are screwed.
The only thing to do is to be proactive and work with the city to legalize short term rentals otherwise we are all going to be at the mercy of a vindictive neighbor or business. I heard that hotels aren't against us, though, they just want us to pay taxes which is totally fair and reasonable.
I'm having a meeting tomorrow and will keep you all posted if you are interested.
Like
Charles
Charlesa year ago
Vivienne,
Good luck with your meeting. I am very interested in how your meeting goes. It is tough about the vindictive neighbors, I am a victim of one myself. I'm hoping Boulder will see the value in short term rentals and make it legal.
Like 1 reply
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
I am so sorry to hear this. I am of the opinion that we cannot just lay low and hope it doesn't happen to us. We need to organize and present the city with a positive and compelling case for why short term rental is not only the future of travel, but part of a better future for Boulder. I'll keep everyone posted.
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
Would love to know more about this too! I've heard quite a few rumors but not actually seen a letter!
Like
Zeona
Zeonaa year ago
I saw this today and want to do something about it: yourboulder.com/boulder-airbnb-vrbo/. Vivienne, I'm with you all the way. I am happy to help collect petition signatures and know many other hosts in town who will do the same. I believe that is the step to get it changed. We have to get it on the next ballot. I also have not heard of someone getting an actual letter, but I don't want to wait around for that. I want to push back before I get shut down.
Like 1 reply
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
I am working on starting up a local association of Boulder STR operators. Give me a few days to get the site up and running. I think a strong and positive voice at city council meetings is a good first step. We had a very productive meeting today where we discussed strategies to sell short term rentals to the city. This needs to happen. We can’t go along doing our business and hope that no one reports us, not when it’s our livelihood. I would like to encourage all of you to write a quick email to City Council encouraging them to address short term rentals (STR) this coming year. They are having a work retreat at the end of the month and we want to make sure that VRBO/AirBnB is addressed. I have it on good authority that the council is open to short term rentals, they just have a lot of other pressing issues. Keep your email short and POSITIVE. We are setting the tone here so talk about how great STR has been for you, how it can be good for Boulder (drawing tourism, collecting taxes, adding to the charm) and how you think STRs can be responsible neighbors. Make it personal, talk about how it allows you to thrive in Boulder. Here’s the email: (email hidden) If you are interested in learning more about being an advocate for Short Term Rentals, please check out this website. stradvocacy.org
Zeona
Zeonaa year ago
I just spoke to another host in Boulder about upcoming city council meetings in both Boulder and Denver where they are going to be speaking about this issue. He said Denver is the 10th and Boulder the 17th. We are talking about carpooling to Denver if anyone wants to join in. If there is a meeting of hosts in Boulder before the city council meeting, please let me know.
Like
Zeona
Zeonaa year ago
Vivienne, do you know the times/locations of these upcoming city council meetings in Boulder/Denver?
Like 2 replies
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
Meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays beginning at 6 PM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 1777 Broadway (at the southwest corner of Broadway and Canyon). You have the opportunity to speak to the Council to express your opinions about city issues. To help accommodate everyone, please follow these rules: You may sign up in-person beginning at 5 PM on the day of the City Council meeting or sign up online through Eventbrite. Eventbrite sign up is available after 4 PM on the Friday prior to the meeting through 4:30 PM the day of the meeting. If you have an electronic presentation, you need to send it to the City Clerk’s Office no later than 3:30 PM the day of the meeting. Please send it to (email hidden). Each speaker will be given three minutes to address council. If there are more than 15 speakers, each will have two minutes to speak. Please limit your time to city issues. Be clear, concise, and constructive. This is not a forum for personal attacks. Citizens may pool time with two other people allowing one of them to address council for five (5) minutes. All three people must be present at sign up and when the speaker is called. If there are more than 15 speakers, each will have four (4) minutes to speak. We may be unable to accommodate all the people who sign up within the 45 minute time period for Open Comment. In that case, it is up to the Mayor to determine how to proceed. You may be offered the opportunity to speak after the last public hearing item. Council receives the bulk of its communications electronically but, if you have prepared a written statement, you may give ten (10) copies to the City Clerk when you approach the podium to speak; the City Clerk will distribute your written statements as you speak. Please practice your statement ahead of time and keep it within the time limit. The green light will go on when you begin to speak. State your name and address and be sure to state what you would like to see done (constructive problem resolution). When half of your time has expired, the light will begin to flash. When you have 30 seconds remaining, the yellow light will come on to warn you that your time is almost up. When the red light comes on, your time is finished. Consent Agenda items and any item not scheduled for a public hearing can be addressed in the Open Comment section of the meeting, between 6 and 6:45 PM. You may speak once per comment period (once during Open Comment and once during Public Hearing) per meeting.
andrea
andreaa year ago
I will go to the Boulder city Council meeting on the 17th. can I get a show of hands who else would show up so we can all discuss issues prior to somebody speaking? getting our ducks in a row so to speak. my sister said she saw on the news last night that 266 hosts have been required to cease and desist-that's way more than 20. I think somebody's trolling the websites finding hosts and then reporting them. that is very scary. Geez, this is how I make my living.
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
Boulder is the first and third Tuesday Meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays beginning at 6 PM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 1777 Broadway (at the southwest corner of Broadway and Canyon). You have the opportunity to speak to the Council to express your opinions about city issues. To help accommodate everyone, please follow these rules:
You may sign up in-person beginning at 5 PM on the day of the City Council meeting or sign up online through Eventbrite. Eventbrite sign up is available after 4 PM on the Friday prior to the meeting through 4:30 PM the day of the meeting.
If you have an electronic presentation, you need to send it to the City Clerk’s Office no later than 3:30 PM the day of the meeting. Please send it to (email hidden).
Each speaker will be given three minutes to address council. If there are more than 15 speakers, each will have two minutes to speak. Please limit your time to city issues. Be clear, concise, and constructive. This is not a forum for personal attacks.
Citizens may pool time with two other people allowing one of them to address council for five (5) minutes. All three people must be present at sign up and when the speaker is called. If there are more than 15 speakers, each will have four (4) minutes to speak.
We may be unable to accommodate all the people who sign up within the 45 minute time period for Open Comment. In that case, it is up to the Mayor to determine how to proceed. You may be offered the opportunity to speak after the last public hearing item.
Council receives the bulk of its communications electronically but, if you have prepared a written statement, you may give ten (10) copies to the City Clerk when you approach the podium to speak; the City Clerk will distribute your written statements as you speak.
Please practice your statement ahead of time and keep it within the time limit. The green light will go on when you begin to speak. State your name and address and be sure to state what you would like to see done (constructive problem resolution). When half of your time has expired, the light will begin to flash. When you have 30 seconds remaining, the yellow light will come on to warn you that your time is almost up. When the red light comes on, your time is finished.
Consent Agenda items and any item not scheduled for a public hearing can be addressed in the Open Comment section of the meeting, between 6 and 6:45 PM.
You may speak once per comment period (once during Open Comment and once during Public Hearing) per meeting.
Like
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
This isn't as bad as I first thought.
If you look at the inventory in Boulder there are quite a few hosts that have quite a few apartments they don't live in (nor own) that they airbnb out full time. That is bad behavior and if an neighbor complains about it, well, they have a damn good point.
Like 1 reply
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
My feeling is that own occupied STRs will be legal (with a rental license) but the ones held by out of towners, management agencies, realtors won't fly. I don't know for sure, but that is my guess. The article was positive. Nowhere did it talk about axing STRs all together. I'm starting a local association of STRs to act as a clearinghouse for best practices, links, help getting started, etc. This hopefully will appeal to the city. Stay tuned.
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
Andrea: If it was the same news show I saw on Channel 7 (and those were my hands in it), it was 25 people. What channel was she looking at? Also, this won't be a discussion, it's an open mic where you are given 2-3 minutes to state your case. My advice, write out what you are going to say, practice and time it, print out copies because the council members might want to review it later. Remember, treat them as if they were on your side. We must take control of the narrative. We are friendly, responsible and cooperative. Talk about why STR is great for you, what you do to protect your community, and how you would like to be legal. I think they are on board.
Like 1 like
andrea
andreaa year ago
I believe it is a discussion- that discussion between hosts. (A discussion between the citizen and the Council- I get that)
personally, I'm certainly not going to go up in front of the Council and make my "pitch" !that's just not something I can do (because I'm not very good at it I lose my train of thought and would not be the best representative voice.
I am proposing when I use the word discussion is that we hosts get together, express all of our individual points, then one or more people go up in front of the Council and state all of the points.
I think each of us have our own unique perspectives on this and if we combine them and have one or two people present them, I think that would have an impact.
It also avoids redundancy.
we don't want to be a group that sounds like a broken record. what do you think?
It's clear to me that you have a full grasp on the workings of this type of environment and I appreciate that, and defer to you.
I strongly believe that we are a contingent. A contingent of individuals who have our individual, as well as overlapping issues, that we should exchange.
and then appoint one or two representatives to present our key points-as bullets, in those 2 to 3 minutes.
Like
Zeona
Zeonaa year ago
Vivienne, I wrote my email to the city council and received a reply thanking me and asking where my rentals were. That spooked me and I haven't replied. Has anyone else received that reply? Am I being too cautious.
Like 1 reply
Vivienne
Viviennea year ago
I haven't gotten that response but they already know me. I spoke to them in 2014 and they never cracked down on me. The last round of letters were generated by an individual who reported them to the city. I don't think the city has an agenda to get rid of STRs, but I understand why you would be concerned. I guess I would reply something along the lines of unless you can have some assurance that you won't be singled out, you would prefer to hold onto your private information.
Cindy
Cindya year ago
I think it's prudent to be a little spooked. Maybe you could indicate a neighborhood.
Like
Sandy
Sandya year ago
For starters, don't post pics of the exterior of your place on Airbnb. I have been doing a minimum of a one-night stay but might bump it up to two nights as that way, the city would have to spend more money to get my address as they can only get the address if they book. Comments?