Boulder County Special Events

An Event on County Roadways (ECR) permit is required whenever an event uses a road in unincorporated Boulder County.

Events may include, but are not limited to

• Bicycle races or group rides of more than 50 people
• Foot races or walks of more than 50 people
• Motor vehicle events
• Block parties
• Parades
• Filming requests

Submittal Deadlines

• Filming Requests = Seven (7) days prior to filming date
• Block Parties = 14 days prior to party
• All Others = At least 60 days prior to the event date, but no more than 364 days prior to the event
• Late applications may be subject to additional fees

Fees

• Events on County Roadways are subject to certain fees.
• The Board of County Commissioners approved a new tier-based fee schedule on March 23, 2023.
• All applications will be reviewed by the Office of Special Events and fees will be assessed based on the applicable tier.
• Application fees are due at application submittal and are non-refundable.
• Performance deposits are due at permit issuance and are refunded so long as all conditions of the permit are met.
• Fees are waived for government entities, one-day filming requests, and block parties at the discretion of the Office of Special Events.
• View the current fee schedule for special event permits.

Submittal Requirements

• Completed application
• Payment of application fees
• Site plan or route map of the event
• Operations and communications plan
• Medical/Emergency response plan
• Traffic control/transportation plan
• Notification plan

Additional items may be required depending on the size and scale of the event. For more information contact the Office of Special Events.

Insurance Requirements

Most event require insurance, however block parties are not required to have insurance. Please consult the Events on County Roadways Guide for more information.

Three Advance Notifications Required

1. Written notification to adjacent property owners.
2. Advance signing notifications along the event route or at the event location at least seven (7) days prior to the event.
3. Written notification to the fire protection district at least 14 days prior to the event.

For more information, consult the Events on County Roadways Guide.

Film/media requests

• Special event permit application
• If exceeding one day, required application fees and performance deposit
• Map of the filming area(s)
• Operations plan describing the setup and duration of the filming
• Traffic control/transportation plan
• Notification plan
• Certificate of insurance
• If drones are used, additional insurance and drone operator’s license (FAA Part 1007)

Additional items may be required depending on the size and scale of the media request. For more information, contact the Office of Special Events.

Block Party Requirements

• Special events permit application
• Map clearly showing the streets to be closed
• Description of barricades to be used
• Narrative regarding:
  • How residents and fire districts will be informed
  • Restroom availability
  • Live/amplified music, and
  • Serving alcohol
• For more information, consult the Block Party Guide.

Apply for a Special Event Liquor Permit

• Permits are issued by the Boulder County Liquor Licensing Authority.

Special Event Permit Guide

For more information, please refer to the The Boulder County Transportation Special Event Permit Guide.

A Public Assembly on County Property (PACP) permit is required for certain events and assemblies taking place on particular outdoor Boulder County properties.

Permits Required For

• Historic Courthouse Lawn
• Historic Courthouse Parking Lot
• Boulder County Justice Center Parking Lot
• Boulder County Fairgrounds – Advocacy requests only. All other events please see the Boulder County Fairgrounds website.
• Parks and Open Space Parking Lot
• Longmont HUB Parking Lot

Public Assembly Defined

1. Any meeting, demonstration, picket line, rally or gathering of more than twenty-five (25) persons for a common purpose as a result of prior planning that interferes with the normal flow or regulation of pedestrian or vehicular traffic or occupies any public area in a place open to the general public, or
2. Any meeting, demonstration, picket line, rally or gathering which includes the placement, construction, or assembly of a structure or structures, including but not limited to, personal sized tents, or objects including, but not limited to, tables, chairs, stages, recreation equipment regardless of the number of participants.

The requirement for a permit shall not apply to funeral processions; assemblies convened by a governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions; spontaneous events occasioned by news or affairs coming into public knowledge within two (2) days of such Public Assembly, and vehicular, bicycle or running/walking road races or parades on county roads.

Application Requirements

• Submit an application for a Public Assembly on County Property (PACP) permit application 10 days in advance of the requested date.
• Provide a $50 deposit with application submittal. Deposit will be refunded to the applicant via check to the address submitted on the application provided there are no damages to the site infrastructure as a result of the event.

County Support of Free Speech Activities and Reasonable Regulation

Boulder County recognizes and supports the rights of free speech activities, including leafleting, displaying signs, picketing, and other activities involving the advancement, communication, or expression of views, ideas, or grievances on county-owned properties. The county will protect freedom of speech, petition, and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U. S. Constitution; however, consistent with federal law, the county maintains the ability to regulate such activities on county-owned property with reasonable, time, place, and manner restrictions. This includes the designation of Public Forums, where public assemblies are allowed.

Designation of Public Forums

Boulder County has designated the following properties as Public Forums for free speech activities. These are properties that have traditionally been used for purposes of assembly, communicating thoughts between members of the public and discussing public questions.

• Certain portions of the grounds at the County Fairgrounds:
  • 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO 80501
• The south lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse:
  • 1325 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

All other county-owned properties, including properties managed by the Parks & Open Space Department, are not public forums.

County Buildings

Both the interiors and exteriors of county-owned buildings are not open to the public for the purpose of free speech expression and are expressly reserved solely for the functioning of the county government and furtherance of county purposes as determined by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) or another county Elected Official (with respect to that Elected Official’s office). Signs, banners, lights, or other materials affixed to or projected against the walls or surfaces of county-owned buildings or structures other than those approved by the BOCC or another Elected Official are prohibited. The BOCC Chief of Staff or designee reserves the right to determine the lighting at the courthouse campus.

Requirements for Free Speech Activities

In order to protect the safety of those participating in or observing free speech activities and to maintain public areas for the use of the public, the following apply to all acts or expressions of free speech conducted on county-owned property.

Free speech activities may not:

• Harass or threaten any person.
• Interfere with the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
• Create an imminent safety, security, or health hazard.
• Interfere with any other lawful activity by anyone in the same general location at the same time.
• Post materials on any exterior walls, windows or doors, or on sidewalks, trees, light poles, fences, landscaping, or shine or project any signs, images, colors, or lights communicating any message on any county-owned building or structure.
• Conduct speech that includes obscenity or fighting words or engage in any other speech or action that is not allowed by law.
• Engage in any acts that are significantly disruptive to the normal operations of the county or unlawfully invade the rights of others.
• Include political rallies and/or partisan political functions twenty-two (22) days prior to an election or at any time during the day of an election within 100 feet of any voting center or ballot drop-off location, including the one east of the east wing of the Courthouse.
• Be commercial in nature.

A Group Gathering Permit (GGP) is required for certain events on private property. Events on private property are subject to the Group Gathering/Special Events use under Article 4-517 (D) of the Boulder County Land Use Code.

For more information or to inquire if a Group Gathering Permit is required, please contact the Office of Special Events by email or by calling 303-441-3906.