Adams County, CO Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- groups of 25 or more people
- Must submit
- dates, times, area, use details
- Director may
- charge a fee or deny request
- Fine for no permit
- $100 civil infraction
- Governing rule
- POSCA Rule 19
Summary
Any group of 25 or more people gathering at an Adams County park, trail, or open-space area must obtain a special use permit under Rule 19, submitting the dates, times, and specific areas to be used. The POSCA Department Director can charge a cost-recovery fee or deny the request outright if the event would significantly affect the environment or strain department resources.
Special use permits are required for any group of 25 or more at any Adams County park, trail, or open space area. Requests must include the dates and time of use, trails, or areas to be used, and other details of the use. If, in the opinion of the Adams County POSCA Department Director, the activity will cause significant impact to the natural environment or will require significant departmental resources, the county may impose a fee that includes the costs expected to be incurred by the department or deny permission for the activity.
Full Breakdown
Rule 19 of the Adams County POSCA Rules and Regulations sets the threshold for group events at exactly 25 people: at or above that number, a special use permit request must be filed listing the dates and times of use, the trails or areas involved, and other details of the planned activity. The rule gives the POSCA (Parks, Open Space and Cultural Arts) Department Director discretion to impose a fee covering the county's expected costs, or to deny the activity altogether, whenever the Director judges that it will cause significant impact to the natural environment or require significant departmental resources.
This sits alongside related permitting rules in the same chapter: Rule 17 requires a separate Adams County Vendor Permit before charging any fee for a commercial activity or concession in a park, and Rule 18 requires Director approval before any research project can proceed on county park land. § 29-7-101(2)-(3), who can issue citations, penalty assessments, or summons and complaints, with cases heard in Adams County Court under the state's civil infractions statute.
Violations & Fines
Holding a 25-or-more-person gathering without the required Rule 19 permit is a civil infraction under C.R.S. § 29-7-101(2) and § 16-2.3-102(1)(a), carrying a $100 fine per violation plus court fees and surcharges. Park Rangers may also eject the group from the area under Article IV.6.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a special use permit for a park gathering?
Can Adams County deny my special event permit?
What happens if I hold a 25-person event without a permit?
Who reviews special use permit requests?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Adams County
Compare Adams County to another location·View the Colorado special events & permits overview
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