Colorado Photography Permits

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 changing areas.)

Key points that apply to photo sessions:

• Stay on the trail
• Do not disturb restoration areas
• Keep trails open for the general public (no light stands, changing tents, or other structures that block the traffic flow of the trail)
• Use dog leashes as appropriate
• Obey no-creek entry requests due to mollusk infestations
• Stay away from glitter or other non-decomposable items
• Leave the trail in better shape than found!

COVID-19

Additional restrictions on permitting, particularly the number of persons in the group and availability, may also be in effect. Please contact each location for current policies.

Aurora

• All Aurora city locations

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.

• 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; creek access currently closed)
• City of Boulder
• County of Boulder
• Gross Reservoir
• University of Colorado at Boulder

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)
• 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
• Wynkoop Plaza at Denver Union Station

Douglas County

• Castle Rock

Larimer County Parks & Open Spaces

• 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

Littleton

• Hudson Gardens & Event Center

Mountains

• 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 of the 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 for
• 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. 
• Vail