WOODLAND PARK, Colo. — During public comment at the April 3 Woodland Park City Council meeting, resident Arnie Sparnans thanked city staff for enforcing short-term rental rules and said enforcement is returning housing to long-term residents.

"We saw that the city denied 38 STR license applications, all for non primary residences and residential zones," Sparnans said, adding that "35 of these denials were out of town investors." He said the city’s actions followed nearly three years of work that began with a moratorium on new short-term rental licenses and culminated in adoption of business-licensing regulations (Title 5) after a 15-month compliance period.

Sparnans identified himself as a Sunny Glen neighborhood resident and credited the council’s earlier moratorium and subsequent licensing rules for making homes available again for families. "We're grateful our community to remain strong and look forward to welcoming even more new residents," he said.

Sparnans’ remarks were submitted during the public-comment portion of the meeting and do not constitute a council decision. City staff and the council have previously moved through ordinance and licensing processes, including a moratorium and later Title 5 licensing rules referenced by the commenter. The council did not take additional action on STRs at the April 3 meeting; Sparnans’ remarks were offered as community feedback praising enforcement of existing ordinances and licensing decisions.

The resident spoke with his service dog Lily at his side and thanked the council for the outcome he described.