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Denver, CO Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Permitting office
Manager of Parks and Recreation
Insurance minimum (certain events)
$100,000 property / $300,000 injury
Priority rule
2+ consecutive years of same use
Max penalty
$999 fine or 300 days jail

Summary

Denver requires a permit from the manager of parks and recreation before holding any scheduled event in a city park, with liability insurance required for amplified music, races, or commercial promotion.

It shall be unlawful to hold any scheduled event within the parks of the city unless and until a permit therefor has been issued as provided in this division, or, for assemblies, division 3 of this article.

Source: Denver Parks Public Event PermitsView 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

Anyone planning a scheduled event in a Denver park must apply to the manager of parks and recreation before the event under DRMC §§ 39-71 through 39-73. The application must include event details, and the manager can require proof of liability insurance, minimum $100,000 property damage and $300,000 personal injury, for events involving amplified music, organized competitive road races, or commercial advertising. A permit issues if the facility isn't already reserved for that day and hour, the event's stated purpose isn't to incite violence or overthrow of government, and (for larger or costly events) the applicant has deposited funds to cover the city's added costs. Applicants who've used the same park, date, time, and place for more than two consecutive years get scheduling priority over new applicants. Fireworks displays are barred in Charter-designated parks regardless of the permit.

Violations & Fines

Holding a scheduled event in a Denver park without the required permit is unlawful under § 39-71; since no specific fine is set, it carries Denver's general penalty of up to $999 and/or 300 days in jail under § 1-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a casual picnic in a Denver park?
No. The permit requirement applies to scheduled events reserving a facility; ordinary, non-reserved park use isn't a scheduled event under § 39-71.
What if two groups apply for the same park, date, and time?
The manager issues the permit to whichever facility wasn't already reserved for that day and hour, and an applicant with over two consecutive years of prior use at that spot gets priority under § 39-73.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Denver

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