La Plata County, CO Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Article II of Chapter 42 (Roads and Bridges) of the La Plata County Code is the special events article, adopted by Res. No. 2013-09 on February 5, 2013. Section 42-31 sets the trigger: any event such as a bicycle race, ride, foot race, walk or any other event that utilizes a highway or county road within the unincorporated portions of the county and may require changing, restricting or adapting the normal traffic use of the road must obtain a special event permit. The code never uses the word parade. The operative language is the catch-all any other event, and the test is the effect on normal traffic use of a highway or county road. Streets inside Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio are outside this article.

Section 42-32 routes the paperwork. The planning department accepts applications and attendant documentation and must solicit comment from the county sheriff's office, the county office of emergency management and the department of public works. When any part of an event uses a highway or county road inside the exterior boundaries of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, the planning department must also give written notice of the application to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and solicit its comment.

Section 42-33 puts the decision with the public works director, who is authorized to approve special events permit applications and to partially or completely close or restrict traffic for an event in accordance with C.R.S. 24-33.5-226. The director requires adequate proof of insurance liability coverage, an operational and traffic control plan, an emergency management plan, a parking plan and a communication plan for interface with law enforcement personnel. The director can attach appropriate conditions to protect public health, safety and welfare.

Section 42-34 covers revocation: a permit can be revoked due to unforeseen conditions, including fires, floods or other unexpected circumstances.