How Brian Egan Built Evolve Into a Profitable Short-Term Rental Business (And What’s Really Next for Vacation Rentals)
What It Takes to Build Trust (and Growth) in Short-Term Rentals: Lessons from Denver’s Top Names
There’s something about the Denver rental scene that sets it apart. Maybe it’s the Rocky Mountain backdrop, packed sports weekends, or the magic of spring afternoons in LoHi and Wash Park. But in 2026, hosting here isn’t just about a killer skyline. It’s about trust, keeping pace, and maintaining your human touch—even when tech tries to outshine the basics. Few leaders know that landscape better than Brian Egan, who took Evolve from a basement brainstorm to a hospitality brand crossing $5 billion in rental revenue.
Brian started his career deep in Silicon Valley’s venture law, only to discover the courtroom wasn’t what fueled his fire. After pivoting to Denver to help build Exclusive Resorts, he and Adam Sherry set their sights on disrupting what was then a scrappy, fragmented vacation rental market. By late 2011, Evolve launched with just 21 homes. Their insight? There had to be a better way—something less hands-on than old-school local management, but way more supportive than doing it all yourself. That mix turned out to be the secret sauce missing from Denver’s high-altitude rental world.
Why Evolve Didn’t Follow the Rules
Getting traction—or even respect—from property owners early on was uphill work. In those days, big managers charged sky-high fees and “automation” barely existed. Airbnb stirred the pot, but most listings were little more than souped-up classified ads. You could send a booking request… and wait days for a response. Rate calendars? Try six rows total—if you were lucky.
Egan’s bet was that the whole industry was about to grow up, fast. He recognized that everyday travelers and remote owners would soon expect seamless bookings, clear pricing, and quick replies. If the DIY crowd was going to compete—and if Denver wanted to stay on traveler bucket lists—something had to give. So Evolve became the middle ground: a tech-forward, but still personal, alternative that let owners call some shots (like who cleaned or shoveled their drive) while skipping the headaches.
“Owners want income and control without the late-night lockout calls. Guests want reliability without surprises. Bridging that gap—that’s the future.”
The Bumps Along the Way
Like any good story, the Evolve journey stumbled before finding its stride. One major misstep? Briefly pivoting away from exclusive owner partnerships. When they tried onboarding large blocks of homes brought in by traditional property managers—without true ownership connections—it sped up growth but left the business hollow, vulnerable to being cut out altogether. Egan and team hit reverse, recommitting to direct, exclusive relationships. That focus remains at the core of their model today—each owner gets a real stake, not just a listing lost in a massive portfolio.
Exclusive, But Everywhere: How Distribution Makes It Work
If you’ve hunted for a Denver vacation property online, you’ve probably seen Evolve listings across Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking, or Marriott’s Homes & Villas. From the outset, Egan’s team realized Denver’s rentals—and the U.S. market at large—were still young compared to hotels. The best way to attract the right guests was to put every property front and center on all major channels. Single-platform exclusivity? Not a chance.
This approach wasn’t common at the time. But using big platforms as “organizing horsepower,” as Egan puts it, proved essential. Why DIY every piece of guest acquisition when the listing engines could bring in a flood of demand? For Denver’s newer hosts looking for Airbnb-level earnings without sleepless nights, this was a game-changer.
Is the Short-Term Rental Split Changing?
The million-dollar question in 2026: Has the balance shifted between hands-on owners and pro managers? Industry data says it’s surprisingly stable. The long tail—DIYers and single-home owners—still make up about half the market, despite a decade of rapid tech advances. Turns out, running a micro-hotel is tough work: it’s not just about apps or automation; it’s about care, attention, and the drive to solve guest problems fast.
- If you love hosting and have the stamina to handle emergencies at 2 a.m., DIY can pay off. Denver’s crunch months (think ski season rush!) reward those who hustle.
- But for dual-income households or busy professionals—folks who want investment and lifestyle perks—a partner like Evolve fills the gap. “Easy money” doesn’t exist, but easier money sure does.
- Traditional managers (with high fees and built-in teams) still appeal to owners seeking true “hands-off.” But the all-in cost? Often well north of 35-40% of revenue.
That’s why Egan’s team aimed for the sweet spot: provide powerful tech, plus choice on services like cleaning and maintenance, all at a lower fee model. This hybrid, both assertive and flexible, has been especially appealing across Colorado’s competitive neighborhoods.
So Many Tools, But Is DIY Really Taking Over?
Sure, every year brings new software and AI dashboards promising hosts “no-effort” income. But Brian points out: not every great tool finds a great operator. Just because tech exists doesn’t mean every owner wants to use it—or even should. Some jump in for the thrill, others realize after one busy holiday season that hiring help is worth every penny. In the Denver area, those who thrive are usually the ones who are honest about their limits, not just their ambitions.
No matter what, more tech won’t squeeze out the need for local partnerships, boots-on-the-ground support, or the veteran know-how that separates a glitch-free stay from a guest meltdown during the Stock Show.
Scaling and Staying True (and Why Not Everyone Goes Global)
Evolve’s formula has tempted expansion, but Brian’s practical about Denver’s—and the U.S.’s—prime opportunity. While the idea of internationalizing is always on the table, the U.S. market still presents the fastest growth and the simplest synergies. Other brands have tried franchising or international buyouts; most discover that what works in Aspen doesn’t always resonate in Milan or Mexico City.
“Vacation rental management is local at its core. The bigger you get, the more you need local hands—nobody wants their home in Wash Park managed from a call center overseas. We found success partnering on the ground, not owning every broom and van ourselves.”
When (and Why) Tech Should Be Custom Built
While early on, Evolve ran their business with third-party tools, their unique model meant off-the-shelf software just didn’t cut it. Most big U.S. managers now use established property management systems and plug into partners for things like revenue management and distribution—because building tech for tech’s sake rarely pays off. For Denver’s tech-savvy landscape, the lesson is: invest in systems that let you stay nimble, but don’t waste time reinventing solutions that already exist. Evolve’s in-house tech is all about speed, reliability, and future-proofing—especially for AI-powered guest support, smarter pricing strategies, and owner-friendly dashboards.
The Real Role of AI: Hype or Help?
AI drives the headlines everywhere, but Brian’s view is refreshingly pragmatic. For property-hosting pros, the most exciting uses are in pricing, guest communication, and task automation—freeing up local teams to handle the real curveballs, like burst pipes after a March snow squall or a last-minute dog-sitter. In Denver, the nuts and bolts of hospitality are still human: local knowledge, quick fixes, and authentic connection. AI takes care of the repetitive tasks nobody loves—nobody misses yet another password reset—but won’t be dispatching repair crews to Five Points any time soon.
What About Investment? Capital Still Loves Rentals
If you’re following industry news, you’ve seen venture capital flock to both tech platforms and operational models alike. Property management tech companies (think PMS, channel managers, AI tools) are attracting significant valuations. But fragmented ownership and local operational quirks keep roll-ups challenging—most big capital goes to well-defined tech companies or operators with a clear differentiation. Denver’s steady demand—and supply that hasn’t ballooned or shriveled—keeps things lively for both investors and local hosts looking to up their game.
“Nobody’s getting extra credit for overcomplicating the basics. In the end, you win in rentals by delivering, not just hyping features and flash.”
Riding the Stabilization Wave, Denver-Style
The past few years tossed all sorts of curveballs—lockdowns, surging demand, wild supply swings. Egan’s take is that 2026 feels grounded again: RevPAR (revenue per available night) is down sharply since the 2021 peak, but still above pre-pandemic numbers by a healthy margin. For hosts considering their next move (especially in Denver), the outlook isn’t about chasing every trend. It’s about honest evaluation of where you can add unique value—whether through above-and-beyond local hospitality or by tapping the right partners for complex tasks.
Evolve’s biggest recent insight? Guests now expect the kind of consistency and genuine warmth that only experience and local roots provide—no system can fake that. Their new “plus” management tier, for instance, bundles extra support and premium performance for owners who want to stand out, and it’s taken off with nearly half of new activations choosing it. Denver’s travelers aren’t wooed by slogans; they remember sparkling check-ins and last-minute help…and come back for more.
Looking Forward (Without Overthinking)
If you’re in the Denver rental game—whether on your first listing or managing a portfolio—the coming years are poised for measured, confident growth. What separates thriving hosts isn’t just their tech or their decor; it’s their adaptability and insistence on real value for both owners and guests. The market may shift and new buzzwords pop up (expect more on AI and consolidation), but the basics remain the same. Those who blend reliable systems with authentic local hospitality—backed by a reliable team—will always have an edge, whether you’re in Cap Hill or up in the foothills.
“At the end of the day, it’s still about the team. No AI, no tool, can replace that local know-how—especially when a storm rolls in over the Rockies.”