Open Information Requests
Keystone takes pride in its commitment to transparency and civic engagement, offering residents the opportunity to exercise their right to access government information through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests. The Colorado Open Records Act, (CORA) C.R.S. § 24-72-201 to 206, provides that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, except as provided in part 2 or as otherwise specifically provided by law.
Our dedicated team is here to assist individuals in navigating the FOIA process, ensuring that the community remains well-informed about government activities. By providing this service, Keystone reaffirms its dedication to openness, accountability, and empowering citizens to actively participate in shaping the local democratic landscape.
If you have a information request for Keystone, please use the link below
Identify the Agency: Determine which government agency holds the information you seek. FOIA requests are typically submitted to the specific agency responsible for the records you are interested in.
Prepare a Clear Request: Clearly specify the records you are requesting. Provide detailed descriptions and, if possible, include relevant dates, names, or any other information that can help the agency locate the documents.
Submit the Request in Writing: FOIA requests are typically required to be in writing. Many agencies offer online submission forms, or you can send a letter or email. Ensure your contact information is accurate so the agency can communicate with you regarding your request.
Be Specific and Realistic: FOIA requests should be specific and realistic in scope. While the goal is transparency, broad or vague requests may result in delays or additional clarification requests from the agency.
Understand Exemptions: Be aware that certain information may be exempt from disclosure, such as classified information, personal privacy, or law enforcement records. Familiarize yourself with these exemptions to manage expectations about the information you may receive.
Consider Fees: Some FOIA requests may incur fees for processing, duplication, or search. Agencies usually provide fee estimates and may offer fee waivers or reductions under certain circumstances.
Follow Up: If you don't receive a response within the designated timeframe, follow up with the agency. You have the right to appeal denials or seek mediation if necessary.
Stay Informed: Familiarize yourself with the specific FOIA regulations and procedures of the agency you are dealing with. Agencies may have unique requirements or processes.
- Identify the Correct Agency:
- Determine the specific government agency holding the desired information.
Create a Written Request:
- Submit a written request, typically accepted via mail, email, or online portals.
- Some agencies may offer specific forms on their websites.
Provide Contact Information:
- Include your full name, mailing address, email, and phone number for communication.
Clearly Describe the Records:
- Be specific about the records sought, including dates, names, places, and relevant details.
Specify the Format:
- Indicate your preferred format for receiving the information (paper, digital, etc.).
State Your Fee Preferences:
- Specify whether you are willing to pay fees and, if applicable, request a fee waiver.
Request Expedited Processing:
- If urgent (e.g., imminent threat), request expedited processing with a compelling reason.
Check for Agency-Specific Requirements:
- Visit the agency's website or contact them to understand any specific submission requirements.
Keep a Copy:
- Make a copy of your FOIA request for your records.
- Identify the Correct Agency:
When assessing whether a short-term rental qualifies as the applicant's primary residence, several factors come into play. The applicant's connections and commitments to other locations for domestic, legal, billing, voting, or licensing purposes are scrutinized. Additionally, the frequency of the applicant's returns to the short-term rental versus other locations within a calendar year is considered.
Legal documents and tax assessment records are cross-referenced to verify consistency with the short-term rental address. The applicant's business engagements, employment, income sources, and other financial ties are examined to determine if the short-term rental serves as their primary residence for tax and residence purposes. The duration of the short-term rental's occupancy throughout the calendar year plays a crucial role. This, combined with factors like military deployment status and any other relevant information brought to light by the director or the applicant, aids in the determination of primary residence status. For a more nuanced understanding, consider the scenarios listed below. While not exhaustive and not to be taken as legal advice, these scenarios offer insights into whether a single residential dwelling unit qualifies as the primary residence for short-term rental purposes.
In the case of a complete and pending renewal, applicants can continue their short-term rental operations during the renewal process. All official correspondence, including requests for additional information, will be directed to the email address linked to the application.
For those who submitted a renewal application post-expiration, your hosting platform may have temporarily disabled your ability to accept new short-term rental reservations. It becomes necessary to manually adjust your booking calendar and minimum stay settings after submitting the renewal. Please note that the synchronization between city systems and hosting platforms may take up to a week, during which you can contact 311 if your listing remains disabled.
If you believe someone is short term renting a property within the Keystone town bounderies without a licnese or somone is violating Keystone Short Term Rental guidelines you should report the violation.
Report a Violation
