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

The Board of County Commissioners treats county property as a non-public forum reserved for official government business except where Chapter 38 opens it up. Section 38-2 sets the ground rules for anyone holding an event or meeting on property available for public use under an agreement with the county. Official government business has priority when events are scheduled, and the board, the county manager or the manager's designee can temporarily change the rules of operation for an individual event or an emergency.

Section 38-2 prohibits any event or meeting that is obscene, harassing or discriminatory, threatens violence, disrupts county operations, creates an unreasonable risk of harm, damages county property, involves excessive pollution or hazardous substances, or generates excessive noise or odors as determined in the sole discretion of the county. Heavy machinery, fireworks and open flames need prior approval from the county. Every use must meet current county insurance requirements, other county policies, local, state and federal law, applicable safety standards, and procedures set by the county manager or the board. Users answer for damage or injury, clean the area including all trash and rubbish, supply adult supervision or security suited to the event, and promptly report incidents, damages and injuries.

The Fairgrounds at 2500 Main Avenue in Durango operate from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. unless special hours are set for an event. Camping and structures are allowed there only in designated areas authorized by the manager or the General Services Director, and overnight occupancy in a stall is prohibited. Section 38-31 authorizes the county manager and the department director to sign large event contracts, while the fairgrounds office manager and event coordinator sign small event contracts, stall rentals and student high school parking permits. Section 38-32 charges fees under the schedule adopted by the board, with complimentary meeting space for CSU Cooperative Extension programs such as 4-H, the sixth judicial district court, the county fair and its committees, and youth-serving nonprofits. The Senior Center at 2424 Main Avenue is open 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise posted and carries the same permit-or-contract requirement.