Permits

Many locations require permits in Colorado. There are often hefty fines associated with not having a permit. The following is a resource page that has information on how to obtain a permit. Many permits will require a certificate of insurance which we have provided at the bottom of this page.

**Colorado Photography Permits List**

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This list is meant provide information but not necessarily provide legal advice and so on, so please research locations on your own as well, and update info as needed. Thanks!

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FRONT RANGE
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CASTLEWOOD CANYON
PERMIT IS $20 (Plus the pass into the park of $7) + the application (contact them for it)
Can be issued fairly quickly but give them a day or two.
303-688-5242
[email protected]

MOUNT EVANS
Mount Evans itself is part of Clear Creek Ranger District, Araphao-Roosevelt.
There is a special use permit required and they don’t usually allow session use on weekends. For 1-3 people in your group, the fee is $75 per session.
Summit Lake at the base of Evans is part of Denver Mountain Parks, free permit but insurance is required. Here’s the contact info:
Leslie A. McFadden
Clear Creek Lands & Minerals Staff
Arapaho & Roosevelt Nat’l Forests and Pawnee Nat’l Grassland
Clear Creek Ranger District
p: 970-295-6651/303-567-3011
f: 970-295-6696
[email protected]

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BOULDER

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*Some Boulder locations are run by the City of Boulder and some by the County of Boulder. Each have different requirements*

BOULDER OPEN SPACE
Permit required: Yes
Type of permit: Annual and One Time
Limited (up to 50 visits): $50
Application: https://ccsecure.ci.boulder.co.us/OScpi/Timeout.do;jsessionid=2B48F0E862AE90A38260F3A9098370FB
Website: https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/apply-for-a-commercial-use-permit
Contact: Alycia Alexander
O: 720-564-2047
Fax: 720-564-2072
[email protected]
The email address to send in your certificate of insurance is [email protected]

Insurance: Required
Other notes: 2-3 week application time.
Boulder Contacts:
City Parks- [email protected]
Boulder City Limits (i.e. downtown, The Hill)- [email protected]
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JEFFERSON COUNTY
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JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE
Permit required: Annual
Cost: $100
Website: https://jeffco.us/open-space/permits-and-reservations/
Insurance: Yes
Jefferson County Open Space Attn: Jennifer Coffey
700 Jefferson County Parkway Suite 100
Golden, CO 80401
303-271-5973

INDIAN PEAKS WILDERNESS (Lake Brainard) Permit required: none if small party and no props
Cost: $10-$40 vehicle entry fee depending on vehicle size (must have cash or check)
Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/specialplaces/?cid=fsm91_058238
Application: Link above

ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK
Permit Required: Yes
Cost of Permit: $20
Application: http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Roxborough/Pages/Fees.aspx
or call Todd Farrow, Park Manager: [email protected] 303.973.3959 x.11
Insurance: $1M required for larger groups. For small shoots, they do not seem to care about this.
Other Notes: Pretty quick turnaround time! Usually just 24-72 hours for approval.
MUST stay on trail at all times, rangers are very strict about this.
Edited 11/2015: Need to purchase IN PERSON at the visitors center in Roxborough during business hours 8-4.

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DENVER
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RED ROCKS PARK AND AMPHITHEATER
Permit required: Yes – one time use
Cost: 25.00 or free depending on amount of people shooting
Application: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/office-of-special-events/event-or-film-application/film-application.html
(this app should apply to most Denver parks)
Insurance not necessary unless film production crew is more than five people and budget for film is over 9k$.
You need a separate permit for both the park and inside the amphitheater.

BYRON WHITE COURTHOUSE (18TH & STOUT)
Permit required: Yes – one time use
Cost: Free
Application: Call at the main # 303-844-4083 and they will email an application for you.

DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS – YORK STREET – PORTRAIT
Permit Required: Yes
Type of Permit: One time
Cost: $100-400 depending on number of people
Website: http://www.botanicgardens.org/plan-your-visit/photography-at-the-gardens/york-street-photography
Insurance: Required
Other notes: One week notice required. http://www.botanicgardens.org/plan-your-visit/photography-at-the-gardens/york-street-photography-reservation-request
UPDATED LINK: http://www.botanicgardens.org/york-street/photo-policy/photography-reservation-request
Contact for permits and scheduling: [email protected]

UNION STATION
Permit: http://unionstationindenver.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Denver-Union-Station-Permission-to-Film-01-27-2015-2.pdf
As of 7/30/115-Downtown Denver Partnership www.downtowndenver.com is in charge of the exterior of the front and sides of Union Station. Need a permit for more than five people. This is all subject to change so double check.
Stay away from RTD tracks and don’t go in the walkways between the tracks. You can be in public walkways in the back as long as you’re not obstructing traffic.

ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK
Permit Required: Yes
Cost of Permit: $20
Application: http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Roxborough/Pages/Fees.aspx
or call Todd Farrow, Park Manager: [email protected] 303.973.3959 x.11
Insurance: $1M required for larger groups. For small shoots, they do not seem to care about this.
Other Notes: Pretty quick turnaround time! Usually just 24-72 hours for approval. MUST stay on trail at all times, rangers are very strict about this.
Edited 11/2015: Need to purchase IN PERSON at the visitors center in Roxborough during business hours 8-4.

DENVER PUBLIC PROPERTY (park on streets)
Permit required: Only for 5+ people
Application:https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/office-of-special-events/event-or-film-application/special-events-application.html
Other notes: Fill out 5 days ahead of time

CHERRY CREEK STATE PARK
Permit: required
HIGHLANDS RANCH MANSION
outside free. $300 fee to shoot inside.
LAKESIDE AMUSEMENT PARK
$150 one time use permit available upon walking in.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN PARK (not the Nature Center but the park itself)
Permit: required
Cost: $0
Application: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/office-of-special-events/film.html
Must fill out 5 days ahead of the shoot and submit proof of insurance – they will request this after you fill out the application online
Contact:
Nneka Johnson | Special Events Liaison
Office of Special Events, City and County of Denver
Direct 720.913.1598 l Office 720.913.1501 l
[email protected]

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AURORA
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https://www.auroragov.org/city_hall/television___cable_services/film_permits
Randy Simpson at [email protected] or 303.739.6605.
A film permit application should be submitted at least 30 days in advance of your first day of production.
Applications submitted less than 30 days in advance will be accepted, but there is no guarantee that your permit will be issued in time for your first day of production.
After your application is received you will be given the name of a contact person with the city of Aurora who will act as your liaison throughout the process.
When your application has been approved you will be notified by email. The permit will be issued upon payment of all applicable fees.
Additional permits and fees may apply if you are using a public park, open space, or other recreational area. Learn more about Park and Open Space permits.
Additional permits and fees may apply if your production requires traffic control or other public safety personnel to be on standby or on site during the production.
Waivers of fees may be requested by student productions and productions by non-profits or other governmental agencies.
To be classified as a student production, the applicant must submit proof that the project is part of coursework at an accredited institution.
Nonprofit organizations requesting a waiver must submit proof of nonprofit status.

Proof of Insurance
All applicants for a film permit will be required to provide proof of liability insurance before a permit is issued. Students may need to secure this proof of insurance from their educational institution.

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MOUNTAINS
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – PORTRAITS
Permit required: Yes
Cost: $300 Per Year or $50 Per Shoot.
Application: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/upload/10-931-App-for-SUP-Commercial-Filming-Still-Photography-Short-Form.pdf
Website/contact: http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm
Other notes: You can email and have them convert your single use permits to an annual one if you’ve been paying the $50 fees and are about to exceed the amount for an annual one. Kristen Moody: [email protected]
You can also do the $50 per shoot application online and get an instant permit now. The email confirmation acts as your permit: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/cua_single_session_photography.htm

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – WEDDING
Permit required: Yes
Type of Permit: one time
Cost: $150 (covered by the wedding permit which the couple should have)
Application: http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/upload/WEDDING-Permit-Form-2014.pdf
Website/contact: http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/weddings.htm

VAIL
Permit required: Yes
Type of permit: one time Cost:
Free Application: http://www.vailgov.com/Portals/0/docs/special%20events/filming_photography_registration.pdf
Insurance: Yes

AVON
Permit required: NO
Cost: Free

BEAVER CREEK OR WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST
Permit required: Yes
One time Cost: $75
Photography and Filming Request – Supplemental Application
Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/whiteriver/passes-permits/event
Commercial Contact: Nick Collard / [email protected]
Insurance: Yes – Certificate of Insurance,
Indemnifying the US Government,
c/o White River National Forest,
Eagle/Holy Cross RD,
PO Box 190, Minturn CO 81645
Other notes: Require 2 weeks ahead of time

Certificate of Yellow Paddle Liability Insurance 2021-2022


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