Special Events & Permits in Boulder, CO (2026)
5 verified special events & permits rules for Boulder, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Boulder residents who want to close a street for a block party need a temporary street closure permit from the city manager under B.R.C. 1981 Section 2-2-11(b)(15). The manager may approve the closure only after finding it will not adversely affect public safety and convenience, and can attach any conditions deemed reasonable to protect public health, safety and welfare.
Boulder Temporary Street Closure Permit
Significant RestrictionsBoulder Revised Code (B.R.C. 1981) Section 2-2-11(b)(15)
(b)In addition to other duties prescribed by this code or other ordinances of the city, the city manager may, without limitation:...(14)Establish barricaded play streets if the manager finds that the public safety and convenience would be served thereby;(15)Close streets or portions of streets temporarily for community or neighborhood events, if the manager finds that the public safety and conv...
Park Event Permits
Any recreational, athletic, or social event expected to draw 50 or more people in a Boulder park, parkway, recreation area, or open space needs a city manager permit under Boulder Revised Code section 8-3-14. Organizers must apply at least 14 days ahead with a $100 security deposit, and every permit automatically expires by 11 p.m.
Boulder Park Event Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoulder Revised Code § 8-3-14
(a)No person shall organize, promote, or stage a recreational, athletic, or social event intended for or which can reasonably be expected to draw an attendance of fifty or more participants and spectators in any park, parkway, recreation area, or open space without first obtaining a permit from the city manager under this section or in connection with a special festival event permit issued purs...
Parade Permits
Boulder requires a city manager permit before any parade, funeral procession, or amplified sound truck can use city streets. Section 7-2-14 of the Boulder Revised Code lets the manager approve the permit only after finding the activity won't violate the noise chapter, threaten safety, unreasonably block traffic, or serve an illegal purpose.
Boulder Parade and Sound Truck Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsBoulder Revised Code § 7-2-14
(a)No person in a funeral or other procession or a parade, except the military, police or fire forces of the city, the state or the United States, shall occupy, march, drive or proceed upon or along any street except in accordance with a permit issued under this section.(b)No sound truck or other vehicle equipped with an amplifier or loudspeaker shall use such equipment while upon a street for ...
Street Fair Rules
Large festivals in Boulder, those expected to draw more than 15,000 attendees over multiple days and using streets, sidewalks, or parks outside normal rules, need a Special Festival Event Permit under Section 4-12-3. The city manager can approve up to thirty days total including setup and teardown, and applications are due ninety days to twelve months ahead.
Boulder Special Festival Event Permit Process
Some RestrictionsBoulder Revised Code § 4-12-3(a)-(b)
(a)The city manager may issue a permit for a special festival event that will apply only for the duration of the special festival event and a reasonable amount of time to set up and take down such event, but in no circumstances shall such time exceed thirty days.(b)Applicants for a special festival event permit may submit applications to the city up to twelve months in advance of the first day ...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Restaurants, brewpubs, taverns, breweries, distilleries, and wineries need a revocable permit to place outdoor seating in a Boulder public right-of-way, public easement, or on private parking and yard areas, under the city's Outdoor Seating Pilot Program at Boulder Revised Code section 8-6-12. Sidewalk seating in commercial areas must keep at least eight feet of vertical clearance and six feet of horizontal clearance for pedestrians.
Boulder Sidewalk Cafe Seating Permit
Significant RestrictionsBoulder Revised Code § 8-6-12
(a)Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish a city pilot program that allows restaurants, brewpubs, taverns, breweries, distilleries or wineries to use areas in the public right-of-way, a public easement, or on private property for the purpose of outdoor seating ... (b)Prohibition. No person shall place, maintain, or continue to use or maintain any encroachment in the public right-o...
Looking for Boulder County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boulder city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Boulder County →