Colorado Photography Permits
get permitted to PHOTOGRAPH
Popular pHOTO LOCATIONS
Many Colorado photo locations require permits for commercial photography, including portrait sessions. If you do not obtain a permit, a hefty fine may apply. Be sure to investigate the latest permit requirements on each location’s website or call for details.
Rules & Regulations
For the enjoyment and protection of these natural resources and areas, each governing body enacts different rules and regulations. Photo sessions need to comply with these regulations including but not limited to alcohol, marijuana, smoking, damaging/collecting of property (picking wildflowers and plants), dog regulations, drones, fireworks or other ignitable items, glass containers, and placing of structures (like outfit changing areas.)
AURORA
BOULDER
- Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks (OSMP) (I currently hold an OSMP yearly permit); OSMP Rules and Regulations
- Artist Point
- Chautauqua Park (Hiking spaces, not the park near the Chautauqua Dining Hall)
- Eldorado Canyon (Car entrance fee; reservations for weekends and holidays)
- NCAR
- South Mesa (Parking fee)
- City of Boulder
- County of Boulder
- Gross Reservoir
- University of Colorado at Boulder
Note that the City of Boulder and the County of Boulder have different requirements. There is also the OSMP which manages the open spaces and some parks.
DENVER
- 16th Street Mall
- Byron White Courthouse (18th and Stout) – Call to receive a permit application by email: #303-844-4083
- Cherry Creek State Park
- Denver Botanic Gardens
- Denver Public Property (only for 5+ people)
- Denver International Airport
- Highlands Ranch Mansion (outside free; inside fee applies)
- Lakeside Amusement Park- One-time use permit ($fee) available when walking in at the location
- Lookout Mountain Park (Not the Nature Center or Preserve, which are managed by JeffCo, the Park itself)
- Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater (Separate permit for the park and inside the amphitheater). Check the event/concert schedule.
- RiNO Arts District (Permit required with larger groups and full production equipment. RiNO artists require credit and tagging in any photos showing their work including social media, blogs and publication)
- Roxborough State Park
- Union Station (Inside) Denver Partnership (Exterior of the front and sides of Union Station) Permit needed for more than five people.
- Wynkoop Plaza at Denver Union Station
LITTLETON
- Hudson Gardens & Event Center (I currently hold a permit)
DOUGLAS COUNTY
Larimer COUNTY
- Big Thompson Parks
- Carter Lake
- Devil’s Backbone Open Space
- Eagle’s Nest Open Space
- Flatiron Reservoir
- Hermit Park Open Space
- Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
- Horsetooth Reservoir
- Lions Open Space
- Pinewood Reservoir
- Ramsay-Shockey Open Space
- Red Mountain Open Space
- River Bluffs Open Space
JEFFCO
- Jefferson County Open Space (I currently hold a JeffCo yearly permit). JeffCo Rules and Regulations
- Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
- Apex Park (odd calendar days hikers and equestrians only)
- Beaver Ranch Park
- Cathedral Spires Park
- Centennial Cone Park
- Clear Creek Canyon Park
- Crown Hill Park
- Deer Creek Canyon Park
- Elk Meadow Park
- Flying J Ranch Park
- Hildebrand Ranch Park
- Hiwan Heritage Park
- Lair o’ the Bear Park
- Lookout Mountain Preserve
- Matthews/Winters Park
- Meyer Ranch Park
- Mount Falcon Park (West and Morrison Trailhead)
- Mount Galbraith Park
- North Table Mountain Park
- Pine Valley Ranch Park
- Reynolds Park
- South Table Mountain Park
- South Valley Park
- Van Bibber Park
- Welchester Tree Grant Park
- White Ranch Park
- Windy Saddle Park
MOUNTAINS
- Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans)
Closing on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, until the Spring of 2026 to all forms of travel to fix a stretch of road near Summit Lake. Per the Clear Creek Ranger District, weddings and photography are not allowed at this location. Echo Lake and Summit Lake are owned by Denver Parks and Rec which allows photography per their rules and regulations (permit for 5+ people). - Rocky Mountain National Park – Weddings
Covered by the wedding permit the couple purchases)
Note: Effective June 1st, 2019, no more than two weddings can be booked at any designated wedding locations per day, regardless of availability. No more than 6 total ceremonies per day year-round. The permit fee has also increased and maximum ceremony sizes have also been adjusted. - Sapphire Point – This extremely popular overlook near Dillon, Colorado, requires a reservation for weddings (it shows up as a campground reservation, but there’s no camping, just an overlook). There are two-hour time blocks available and there is a fee. Weddings are limited to 35 people (including vendors). There are 22 car spots, many of which will be taken by tourists. Please reference website for current information.
- Vail
