They're usually well decorated with small housemate community events to bring ppl together. 

STR needs furnishings and decorations, and you'll be carrying utilities, electricity, and supplies. 

Festive décor is a delightful way to create a memorable experience for our guests during the holidays.

Which reminds me, is there landscaping that is being watered that can be replaced with decorative rock/mulch?

Five years into creating, decorating, managing, buying and selling vacation rentals has taught me that the window of opportunity and potential for the asset class is tightening, closing and generally diminishing with time. 

There are ones that you can just give a budget to and they'll decorate the whole house including theme rooms, or ones you can hire just to do one particular room, etc. 

You'll need hardier furnishings for construction workers, less frills and decor, and ideally you'll have a fenced yard that's ok to park work vehicles, construction trailers and equipment.

You asked for honest feedback so here goes:- There are a lot of rentals in and around Denver so competition and location could definitely be an issue- Your decor is doing nothing for you.

Would I probably just have to pay someone I personally trust to decorate the house for an Airbnb, or rental of a furnished house?

Decorative door that is slightly smaller than the refr doorInstallation: 1.