Boulder County, CO Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- Rule 24(d), Resolution No. 2023-024
- Scope
- All county parks and open space land
- Permission required from
- Parks & Open Space Director
- Prohibited harm
- Endangering, harassing, or injuring wildlife/people
- Fine
- $100 civil penalty assessment
- Adopted
- April 2023, supersedes Res. 2023-020
Summary
Taking off, landing, or operating a drone anywhere on Boulder County Parks & Open Space land is illegal without the Director's written permission under Rule 24(d) of Resolution No. 2023-024. Operators may never fly in a way that endangers, harasses, harms, or injures people, pets, livestock, or wildlife on the property.
It shall be unlawful to take-off, land, or operate any unmanned aircraft system (drone) on Boulder County Parks & Open Space areas unless permitted by the Director. No person shall operate an unmanned aircraft system so as to endanger, harass, harm, or injure any person, companion animal, livestock, or wildlife on Boulder County Parks & Open Space areas.
Full Breakdown
Rule 24 of Boulder County's Parks & Open Space Rules and Regulations (Resolution No. 2023-024, adopted April 2023, superseding Resolution No. 2023-020) lists 'Other Prohibited Activities,' and subsection (d) targets drones specifically: it is unlawful to take off, land, or operate any unmanned aircraft system on department land unless the Director permits it, and no operator may fly one so as to endanger, harass, harm, or injure any person, companion animal, livestock, or wildlife on the property. ' Together these subsections make clear that a drone needs affirmative, written sign-off from the Director before it can legally fly over any park, open space parcel, or trail corridor the department manages, and that permission does not excuse endangering wildlife or other users once airborne.
§§ 29-7-101(2) and 30-15-402. Because drone violations are not listed among the offenses with a separate fine schedule in Rule 32(c) (parking, weapons, hunting, and fire-related violations), they default to the general $100 Regulations assessment rate, and the operator can also be expelled from the property under Rule 30.
Violations & Fines
Flying, launching, or landing a drone on Boulder County Parks & Open Space land without Director permission is a civil infraction citable at the general $100 Regulations assessment rate under Rule 32(c). Endangering, harassing, or injuring a person, pet, livestock, or wildlife with a drone is a separate basis for citation even where permission was granted, and Rule 30 lets the Sheriff expel the operator from the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly my drone over a Boulder County open space trail?
How do I get permission to fly a drone in a county park?
What if my drone disturbs wildlife even with permission?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado drone rules overview
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