Discover how two Colorado moms built Rainbow Rentals from mom friends and volleyball buddies into a thriving short-term rental company in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind Rainbow Rentals, meet founders Summer Anderson and Lisa Runkle, two Colorado moms who turned years of friendship, yoga sessions, and hot springs chats into a thriving short-term rental company in the Colorado Rockies. Their story starts long before Rainbow Rentals existed, back when they were simply mom friends juggling kids, carpools, and volleyball nights together.
From Mom Friends to Volleyball and Yoga Buddies
Summer and Lisa first connected as mom friends, trading quick conversations between school events, practices, and kid drop-offs in Colorado. Over time, those casual chats turned into a true friendship as their kids joined the same sports teams, and the two of them began seeing more of each other on the sidelines and in the stands.
Eventually, they became volleyball friends, high-fiving on the court and cheering each other on through late-night games and weekend tournaments. Somewhere between the mom life and the volleyball life, they added one more layer: yoga friends. Classes together became their way to reset, breathe, and catch up away from the chaos of family schedules.
That slow progression—from mom friends to volleyball friends to yoga friends—built the trust, teamwork, and shared values that would later become the foundation of Rainbow Rentals in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
A Turning Point at Yoga Olas in Salida
The moment that started it all happened at Yoga Olas in Salida, Colorado, where Summer and Lisa met up for a yoga class to unwind and reconnect. After class, they walked over to the Vic for drinks, ready to catch up on life, kids, and new projects.
During that conversation, Lisa mentioned that she had finally received her short-term rental permit, a milestone she had been working toward and was excited about. Summer, who had already been managing short-term rentals for several years and loved the work, immediately lit up and told Lisa she wanted to manage the property for her. With hands-on experience in short-term property management and a passion for hospitality, it felt like a natural fit.
Lisa, guarding her new opportunity and her vision, smiled and said, “No, I want to do it. I’ve always wanted to manage properties and I can’t wait to manage this one.” That moment revealed just how entrepreneurial both women truly were: Summer brought a deep background in managing multiple properties and guest stays, while Lisa brought her own long-standing dream to manage and host for guests herself.
The idea of Rainbow Rentals didn’t fully exist yet, but the ingredients were all there—friendship, complementary strengths, and a shared love for Colorado and the short-term rental world. You can learn more about Rainbow Rentals’ property management services and the Colorado Rockies locations they manage.
How Two Colorado Moms Built Rainbow Rentals at OB Joyful Hot Springs
A couple of weeks later, Summer and Lisa planned a trip to OB Joyful Hot Springs, another beautiful Colorado escape surrounded by mountain scenery. Soaking in the hot springs gave them time to relax, think, and talk more deeply about what they each wanted their future to look like.
In that calm, inspiring setting, Summer decided it was the perfect time to ask a bigger question: instead of just helping with one property, what if they went into business together? What if they combined Summer’s proven short-term rental management experience with Lisa’s enthusiasm and hands-on hosting style to create a professional short-term rental management company in the Colorado Rocky Mountains?
There at OB Joyful, Summer asked Lisa to become her business partner and co-founder. The idea of building something together clicked. They both cared deeply about guest experience, property owner relationships, and creating stays that truly reflected the magic of Colorado mountain life. For more inspiration, visit the Rainbow Rentals homepage to start planning your next stay.
That conversation in the hot springs was the moment Rainbow Rentals was born.
Building a Short-Term Rental Brand in the Colorado Rockies
Since that first big idea at OB Joyful, Summer Anderson and Lisa Runkle have been busy turning Rainbow Rentals into a trusted short-term rental management company in the Colorado Rockies. In between school runs, kids’ sports practices, volleyball games, and social hangouts, they’ve built systems, onboarded properties, and taken care of guests one stay at a time.
Their day-to-day includes everything from coordinating cleanings and maintenance to setting smart nightly rates, managing calendars, and responding quickly to guest questions. They blend Summer’s background managing multiple short-term rentals with Lisa’s attention to detail and commitment to making each home feel welcoming, comfortable, and uniquely Colorado.
As local Colorado moms and business owners, they understand what guests are looking for when they book a stay in the Rockies: easy access to trails, rivers, ski areas, and charming mountain towns, along with well-managed homes that feel inviting and well cared for. They also understand what owners need—clear communication, reliable accounting, and a property management partner they can trust to protect and grow their investment. Owner-operators looking to list their property can check out our Host with Us page.
Friendship at the Heart of Rainbow Rentals
The story of Rainbow Rentals is about more than business; it’s about friendship, collaboration, and community. Summer and Lisa’s journey from mom friends to volleyball friends to yoga friends—and finally to co-founders—shows up in how they run the company every day.
- They approach problem-solving as a team, much like they would on the volleyball court.
- They bring mindfulness and balance from their shared yoga practice into how they handle guests, owners, and staff.
- They keep family and community at the center, designing a business that fits alongside sports schedules, outdoor adventures, and social time with friends.
Because they live and work in the Colorado Rockies, their short-term rental business is truly rooted in the local community. They know the neighborhoods, the seasons, the best local spots, and the small details that make a stay memorable.
What This Means for Guests and Owners
For guests, staying with Rainbow Rentals means experiencing the Colorado Rockies with hosts who genuinely care about your trip. Summer and Lisa bring a personal touch to everything from pre-arrival communication to in-home details, so guests feel looked after rather than just booked and forgotten.
For property owners, partnering with Rainbow Rentals means working directly with the founders—two experienced, committed Colorado moms who understand both the financial and human sides of short-term rental management. They treat every property as if it were their own and focus on long-term relationships instead of quick wins.
From a yoga class at Yoga Olas in Salida to drinks at the Vic and a big conversation at OB Joyful Hot Springs, how two Colorado moms built Rainbow Rentals is a story of friendship, courage, and saying yes to a big idea. Today, that idea has grown into a successful short-term rental business in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, serving guests and owners who want their stays and their properties to be in caring, capable hands. Learn more about their mission on our adventures page.
If you’re dreaming of your next Colorado mountain getaway—or looking for a trusted team to manage your short-term rental property—Rainbow Rentals is here to help you feel right at home in the Rockies. For tips on planning your Colorado vacation, check out Colorado.com.
