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Denver, CO Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Permit issued by
Manager of Safety, via DPD
Application window
200 to 30 days ahead
Base fee
$50 (≤15 blocks), $150 (longer)
Extra police costs
Billed beyond first 15 blocks
Conflicting dates
Resolved by random lottery

Summary

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.

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.

Source: DRMC chapter 49View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).

Full Breakdown

Denver requires a permit from the manager of safety before any parade or special event can use a city street, arranged through the Denver Police Department. Applications must be filed between 200 and 30 days before the event; late requests are allowed only for spontaneous demonstrations or unforeseeable circumstances. The nonrefundable application fee is $50 for routes of 15 blocks or fewer and $150 for longer routes, and the applicant pays for any police overtime needed beyond the first 15 blocks. When two applications compete for the same date and time, the city holds a lottery to decide priority.

Violations & Fines

Holding a parade or special event without a permit is unlawful; the manager of safety can also revoke a permit for public-safety emergencies or an inaccessible route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead do I need to apply for a Denver parade permit?
Applications go to the Denver Police Department no sooner than 200 days and no later than 30 days before the event, though late spontaneous-demonstration requests can be accepted up to 24 hours ahead.
What happens if two groups want the same date and route?
The manager of safety holds a lottery among same-day conflicting applications, except historic events with several consecutive years of use, which get priority instead.
What does a Denver parade permit cost?
The nonrefundable application fee is $50 for routes of 15 blocks or less and $150 for longer routes; the applicant also covers police overtime beyond the first 15 blocks.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Denver

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All Denver rules

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