Special Events & Permits in Manitou Springs, CO (2026)
4 verified special events & permits rules for Manitou Springs, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
A Manitou Springs block party, a festive gathering on a residential street that closes the street to traffic for barbecues, picnics, music or games, is a special event under Municipal Code § 12.24.020 and needs a permit from the city before the street can close, under § 12.24.030(A).
Manitou Springs Block Party Street Closure Permit
Significant RestrictionsManitou Springs Municipal Code §§ 12.24.020, 12.24.030(A)
"Block party" means a festive gathering on a residential street requiring the closure of a street or a portion thereof to vehicular traffic and the use of the street for the festivity, including but not limited to barbecues, picnics, music or games. ... A.Any person desiring to conduct a special event on public property shall first obtain a special event permit from the city.
Park Event Permits
Reserving a Manitou Springs park for a gathering runs through the city's facilities use policy, not a standalone permit ordinance. Municipal Code Section 12.24.030(C) requires "appropriate approval from the city" for any private event on public property, including parks, but sends events that do not close a street to the facilities use policy for reservation and rules.
Manitou Springs Park Event Approval Rules
Some RestrictionsManitou Springs Municipal Code §§ 12.24.020, 12.24.030(C)
"Parks" means all developed recreational areas and facilities (including fields and shelters) owned, leased, or operated by the city and open to the public or available for public use. ... C.Any person desiring to hold a private event shall obtain appropriate approval from the city. Private events requiring a street closure shall obtain a permit pursuant to this chapter. Private events not requ...
Parade Permits
Any parade in Manitou Springs is a "special event" under Municipal Code Chapter 12.24 and needs a permit from the city before it happens. Minor special events must be filed 90 days to a year ahead; major ones (200 or more participants, street closures, or liquor permits) need six months to a year. The events coordinator reviews the application against denial criteria in Section 12.24.050.
Manitou Springs Parade and Special Event Permit
Significant RestrictionsManitou Springs Municipal Code §§ 12.24.020, 12.24.030(A)
"Parade" means a march or procession with individuals, animals or vehicles, or combination thereof, on any public street, sidewalk or public right-of-way in the city but that is not a demonstration. ... A.Any person desiring to conduct a special event on public property shall first obtain a special event permit from the city.
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
A Manitou Springs business may put one outdoor seating area or one 15-square-foot display on the public sidewalk under Municipal Code § 12.04.050(E), with a required 4-foot pedestrian clear zone and mandatory removal each night from November 1 through April 1 for snow clearing.
Manitou Springs Sidewalk Cafe Seating Rules
Some RestrictionsManitou Springs Municipal Code § 12.04.050(E)(1),(2),(4),(5),(7)
1.Each business may have one outdoor display not to exceed a fifteen square foot footprint or one outdoor seating area consistent with rules found within this section.2.Placement of outdoor displays or seating on public property must provide a minimum four feet in which there will be no obstructions, known as the pedestrian clear zone. ... 4.For outdoor seating, no more than one table or bench ...
Looking for El Paso County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Manitou Springs city rules.
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