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Public Events & Special Occasions in Parks

Public events include both free and admission-based events such as festivals, concerts, and walks/runs/rides, along with public assemblies. Special occasions are private, invitation-only events in parks. Permit applications for use of park sites are accepted by email only to park.permits@denvergov.org.

Download permit application(PDF, 1MB)

COVID-19 Information:

Permit applicants may cancel due to COVID-19 at any time in 2022 for a full refund and request a reschedule date if desired
For public events and assemblies seeking historical priority status: Rescheduled dates in 2022 (due to COVID-19) will not be honored in 2023; the original 2022 dates will count towards historical years
2022 dates vacated by the cancelation of an assembly or public event may be re-permitted, however, historical permits maintain first right of refusal for their dates/location in 2023

How to apply for a park permit:

Process & Payment

Step 1.Review Permit Resources & Requirements

Prior to submitting your application, please ensure you have reviewed the following items:

Restrictions and requirements by permit type
Park Capacities
2022 Park rest periods & information
Maps, including permittable spaces(PDF, 15MB) available to request
That the proper signature is on your application(PDF, 1MB)

Step 2.Submit Your Application

Due Dates:

Public Events: Applications must be submitted no later than 60 days prior to the first permitted day of the activity
Special Occasions: Applicants must be submitted no later than 30 days from the first permitted day of the activity
- Recurring Events: Applicants seeking multiple dates for the same activity (such as church service) must wait 30 days in between submitting applications

Download a permit application(PDF, 1MB)

Email your completed application to park.permits@denvergov.org.

Step 3.Wait for Communication

Please allow one (1) business day for the Parks Permit Office to confirm receipt of your application
Within seven (7) business days of receiving your application, you will receive a preliminary permit via email which serves as an invoice and includes a list of permit requirements

Step 4.Make Payment

First payment: After the preliminary permit is sent, a deposit of $500 or 50% of the total permit (whichever is less) is due within three (3) business days; failure to pay the deposit will result in cancelation
Final payment: The remaining balance is due 21 calendar days prior to your permit start date, along with other permit requirements

Special Notes

Applicants may only have one active application in process per event at any time
“Back Up” or “Rain Out” applications will not be accepted if a current application is in process for the same event in the same calendar year
Applications seeking a permit for an event series (multiple dates for the same event, such as a summer movie series) may only apply for one event/date/park per application. Using the same permit holder and authorized agent for each application is acceptable. Denver Parks and Recreation reserves the right to determine an event series

Event Managers and Permit Contacts

Organizers who hire third-party event managers for their public events can designate them as the permit contact, or Event Management Representative/Authorized Agent.

The Authorized Agent can also be an employee, board member or authorized individual with an official letter from the organization signed and approved by an employee or board member. Please provide the authorization letter with application submission.

IMPORTANT: This individual will be the ONLY person receiving communication from the Parks Permit Office until the organization provides a letter stating a change in the representative.

Pavilions

If your public event uses Centra Park Pavilion or City Park Pavilion, please indicate requested dates and times, including setup and teardown, in the NOTES section of the permit application

Individual Applicants:

Must be at least 18 years old
Individual applicants may have another individual send the application by email, but the name of the individual applicant under which the permit will be issued must be listed and have signed the application.

Entity Applications (organizations):

Must have an identified authorized agent
The agent must be at least 18 years old and an employee, board member or authorized agent
If an existing authorized agent has changed, the new agent must provide an authorization letter on the organization’s letterhead at the time of application. A new authorized agent must have an authorization letter on the organization’s letterhead at the time of application
An authorized agent may have another individual send the application by email, but the name of the entity under which the permit will be issued must be listed as the applicant and signed by the authorized agent