Man Accused Of Running Illegal Rental Business In Denver

DENVER, CO — Another Denver resident has been accused of operating an illegal short-term rental business. The charges he faces are the latest in a crackdown on illegal short-term rentals in the city.

Spencer David Chase, 46, is charged with one count of attempting to influence a public servant, the Denver District Attorney's Office said.

Denver's Municipal Code requires the owner or leaser of a short-term rental to live at the location being rented as their primary residence. Chase submitted an application for a short-term rental in April at 1117 South Milwaukee Street under his name, the attorney's office said. The following day, he submitted another application for the same address under Palm Tree Venture Capital LLC, according to prosecutors.

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One of Chase's employees sent an email to Denver Excise and Licenses. The letter explained that Chase owns 12 rentals under his company, prosecutors said. The employee acknowledged knowing that the limit for short-term rentals was one property, however, she wanted to know if Chase could rent the South Milwaukee Street property for several months even though Chase did not live there, the attorney's office said.

Inspectors then spoke with neighbors who lived near the home at 1117 South Milwaukee Street, who said Chase didn't live there, prosecutors said.

"Excise and Licenses investigators then took the next step of sending Chase a Primary Residence Affidavit which he completed, notarized and returned," the Denver District Attorney's Office said in a media release.

There has been a growing push for Denver authorities to crack down on illegal Airbnbs operating in the city. An attorney was charged with one count of attempting to influence a public servant earlier this month, and a Denver couple was accused in June of running an illegal short-term rental business.