|
So, you want to be an innkeeper?
If you would like more information on becoming an Aspiring Member in Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of Colorado (BBIC) for just $50/year, please read below.
Aspiring Membership $50 (for Aspiring innkeepers only)
Aspiring Memberships are open to individuals that anticipate becoming Innkeepers. Benefits include a newsletter subscription, access to BBIC Aspiring Innkeeper resources, and a discount on the fee for the Annual Conference .
Want Another View of the BBIC?
Take a look at our current Newsletter.
More Questions?
Contact any one of our BBIC Volunteers or Staff . The Membership Chairperson and the Association Coordinator are especially ready to help you.
Ready to Apply? Click Here Now!
Applications for membership are accepted anytime during the year. Once the inspection and review process is complete, you will be notified of approval and asked to fill out a Web Site Information Sheet. Your listing will be added to the Association's web site, www.innsofcolorado.org, within a few days of the Membership Chairperson's receipt of your Web Site Information Sheet.
Or you may contact us by mail or email and we will mail you an application packet.
BBIC Membership
PO Box 38416
Colorado Springs, CO 80937-8416 | E-mail
You may also contact the Membership Chair directly.
The best information source about being an innkeeper is an innkeeper. Find a B&B in your area and work as an assistant innkeeper. If you're not in a position to do work at one, talk to all the innkeepers you can, stay overnight and offer to pay innkeepers for their valuable time. Attend your state's B&B association's annual conference and become an aspiring innkeeper member in the state association. Attend aspiring innkeeper classes and business seminars to prepare yourself for the career ahead. Subscribe to B&B industry publications, email newsletters and research everything and anything. Remember, you're not just taking on a new job - you are embracing a whole new lifestyle.
As to regulations and permits, your primary governing body will be the city or county where your B&B business will be located. You must meet regulations such as planning, building, business, zoning and licensing. In Colorado, you'll need a State sales tax license and in certain jurisdictions, a local business/sales tax license. Contact the county or city clerk's office for licensing and the development services or planning department for zoning information. In addition, building codes will vary. Most times, B&Bs are classified as residences under a certain number of rooms (usually 5 or less) according to building codes. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will consider you exempt if you have five or less rooms in a single structure and the proprietor (innkeeper) resides on the premises.
Doing adequate research and well thought-out planning will prevent later challenges. Banks will look more favorably upon previous experience and research when considering a loan. In Colorado, if you plan to offer complimentary alcohol, you are required to obtain a B&B liquor permit, issued by the local licensing authority. Unless your B&B will have a full-service restaurant and restaurant liquor license, you may not sell liquor, but can give it away with a valid liquor permit. If you plan to serve lunch or dinner, this must be included with the room or package rate and can only serve your guests (not the general public). If you serve meals to outside patrons other than your guests, there are Colorado State Health Department restaurant regulations you must follow which will require a commercial kitchen. In Colorado, B&Bs who serve only their guests are exempt from restaurant licensing, but some home rule cities may require more stringent requirements. Click here for our BBIC Inspection Form .
Here are some helpful questions to ask:
- What is your background and how does it fit within the B&B business?
- Are you people-oriented and willing to put others before yourself?
- How committed are you to researching the business aspects?
- Are you financially in a position for success?
General Research Recommendations:
- Work in a B&B (for at least six months)
- Stay at B&Bs and "take notes"
- Attend seminars (Business, Accounting, Marketing, and B&B oriented)
- Consider consulting with innkeepers (offer to pay for their extra time and services)
- Research licensing and zoning for the area you're contemplating
- Research federal, state and local laws
- Develop a business plan
- Research types of financing and ownership in advance
- Know the benefits to purchasing an established inn vs. starting from scratch
- Investigate area occupancy and income figures and be realistic about expectations
- There is no such thing as "too much" research-research-research-research!
Colorado State Laws:
B&B Liquor Permit Form
Types of Liquor Permits
Colorado Liquor Law for Bed & Breakfasts
Bed & Breakfast Property Tax Information:
B&B Property Taxes , Legislative Update, Property Tax Valuation Guidelines (pages 419-431)
B&B Sales Taxes and Links
B&B Department of Health Memorandum
In addition to these links, you will need to check with your local licensing authority. If you are in a municipality (city/town), the city or town clerk can provide business/liquor/sales tax licensing information. If you are in an unincorporated jurisdiction, your county clerk can assist you. For zoning, building codes or planning issues, check with the local government's planning or development services department. Feel free to contact BBIC for assistance.
What you will need:
♦ Sales Tax Licenses (State , City and County - varies by jurisdiction)
♦ Business License (if required by local government)
♦ B&B Liquor Permit (for "complimentary" alcohol served to overnight guests)
Definition for B&B for Liquor purposes: (3) "Bed and breakfast" means an overnight lodging establishment that provides at least one meal per day at no charge other than a charge for overnight lodging and does not sell malt, vinous, or spirituous liquors by the drink.
♦ Restaurant License not required for B&Bs if meals are served only to overnight guests
♦ Proper Zoning (check with local jurisdiction for regulations-some areas have ordinances which place restrictions on B&Bs or require special approval)
♦ Bed & Breakfast Insurance (with commercial liability)
This is just an overview...do your research before you open!
BBIC's 24th Annual Conference and Aspiring Innkeeper Workshop will be held in conjunction with the Annual Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of Colorado Conference November 7-8, 2010
Aspiring Innkeepers will take the road to success and become a successful B&B innkeeper by attending this valuable workshop! Sponsored by the Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of Colorado ( Colorado 's state B&B association), this full-day seminar will give you the detailed information necessary to become a success in the bed & breakfast industry. Meet bed & breakfast industry experts and learn from their experience and knowledge. The aspiring innkeepers day will help you establish your inn-keeping guide and plan for the future.
Information will be posted soon for this information packed all day aspiring innkeeper seminar. Stay for the full BBIC Conference on Monday, November 8th with educational workshops and vendor information at a special package price and continue to learn the trade secrets from Colorado 's many successful innkeepers. Become part of the Colorado B&B team! Click Here For More Information!
Thank you for your interest in Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers of Colorado.
We look forward to welcoming you into the Colorado Bed & Breakfast Association!
Bed and Breakfast Aspiring Innkeeper Resources:
Aspiring Innkeeper Workshops/Seminars/Consulting
Starting Your Own Bed & Breakfast Inn
Sallie and Welling Clark, Holden House
www.holdenhouse.com
mail@holdenhouse.com
719-471-3980 888-565-3980
Hands On Seminars/Consulting
Aspiring Innkeeper & Aspiring Interim Innkeeper Hands-on Workshop/Seminars
Inn Caring - Howard & Lynda Lerner Trainers
www.inncaring.com
info@inncaring.com
719-685-3565 office
BBIC Aspiring References
BBIC Inns For Sale
BBIC Inns Looking for Staff
Post your Resume to work at a Bed and Breakfast Inn
General Aspiring and Bed and Breakfast Links
About.com Bed and Breakfast and Aspiring Information
Basic Principles of Opening a Bed & Breakfast (excerpt from Open Your Own Bed & Breakfast)
Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII)
So you want to be an Innsitter?
Aspiring Innkeeper Books for Sale
Bed & Breakfast Business Planning
Business Plan World B&B Business Plan
The Reality of Starting a Bed & Breakfast Inn
Home Business Center "Start a B&B"
Take a B&B Quiz
Innside Innkeeping Resources
Other Inns For Sale References
Inn Matchmakers
www.innmatchmakers.com
BedandBreakfast.com
www.bedandbreakfast.com
Bed and Breakfast Inns Online
www.BBOnline.com
www.BB-4-Sale.com
The B&B and Country Inn Marketplace
www.InnMarketing.com
Bed & Breakfast Insurance Companies
Bed & Breakfast Insurance Specialists
470 E. 3900 So. #202
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
800-356-6517 Ext. 3034
info@leavitt.com
Berkley Risk Services of Colorado
2000 S. Colorado Blvd. Anex Bldg., Ste 410
Denver, CO 80222
877-502-0102
ddaugherty@berkleyrisk.com
Gillingham & Associates
8501 Turnpike Dr. Suite 200
Westminster, CO 80031
303-657-5007
TAMorgan@OutdoorInsurance.com
Hix Insurance Associates
4440 Arapahoe Ave. Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80302
303-444-4666
cs@insurance-associates.com
James Wolf Insurance
1890 N. Market St. P.O. Box 676
Frederick, MD 21701
800-488-1135
aebel@premierprograms.com
Markel Insurance
PO Box 3870
Glen Allen, CA 23058
804-965-1724
hwhite@markelcorp.com
|
