Special Events & Permits in Denver, CO (2026)
4 verified special events & permits rules for Denver, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Park Event Permits
Denver requires a permit from the manager of parks and recreation before holding any scheduled event in a city park, with liability insurance required for amplified music, races, or commercial promotion.
Denver Scheduled Park Event Permits
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 39-71
It shall be unlawful to hold any scheduled event within the parks of the city unless and until a permit therefor has been issued as provided in this division, or, for assemblies, division 3 of this article.
Parade Permits
Parades and special events on Denver streets require a permit from the manager of safety, with applications due 30 to 200 days ahead and fees starting at $50.
Denver Parade and Special Event Permits
Significant RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 54-360
No parade or special event shall be allowed upon any street or public way until a permit is obtained from the manager of safety in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision.
Street Fair Rules
Denver requires a right-of-way permit before any vendor can sell goods at a street fair, festival, or similar event, and the manager of transportation and infrastructure decides case by case.
Denver Street Fair Vendor Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 49-576
The manager of transportation and infrastructure may issue to any person a permit to occupy the public right-of-way outside of the roadway for the purpose of displaying goods for sale in connection with a street fair, festival or similar event, when, in the manager's judgment, such activity would be in the public interest.
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Denver requires a mall-use permit to operate a sidewalk cafe extending an existing licensed restaurant onto the 16th Street Pedestrian and Transit Mall, reviewed by a mall use committee before the manager of transportation and infrastructure issues it.
Denver 16th Street Mall Sidewalk Cafe Permits
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 49-538.3
The manager may issue to any person or organization a permit for a pushcart, kiosk, public seating area, sidewalk cafe, sidewalk sale, special event, entertainment or vending cluster area on the 16th Street Pedestrian and Transit Mall at a location approved by the manager. The manager has authority to promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement this process.