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Special Events Permitting

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The Town of Breckenridge requires a special event permit whether the event is on private or public property within the Town of Breckenridge limits.

A Special Event Permit is required for a planned or organized occurrence the primary purpose of which is entertainment that is:

  1. Is an indoor or outdoor event held on Town-owned property; or
  2. Is a Tier Zero Event, 2) Tier One Event, 3) a Tier Two Event, 4) a Tier Three Event, or 5) a First Amendment Event
  3. Involves filming.

The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to:

  1. An indoor special event of any kind occurring on private property;
  2. An event protected by either the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or by the Colorado Constitution; provided, however, that a person staging, holding, presenting, or conducting such an event shall submit an application and obtain a permit pursuant to this chapter, but there shall be no fee required and the deadline for submission of an application as provided in subsection 4-13-7B of this chapter does not apply to such an application. The Town Manager may also modify any other requirement of this chapter with respect to such an application if necessary to comply with applicable law.` (Ord. 15, Series 2021)

How the process works:

Step 1: Determine the Event Tier that best fits your event. Review the Special Event Tool Kit (not applicable for First Amendment events)

Step 2: Submit a Special Event Application (SEPA) complete with supplemental materials noted in the application. (Note – a Pre-Application is required for all Tier Two and Tier Three events)

Step 3: Evaluation of the application by the Breckenridge Events Committee and SEPA Review Group.

Step 4: Notification any applicable Town Service Fees. An applicant may be required to pay a fee if utilizing Town of Breckenridge property and/or resources.

Step 5: Permit Issuance 

An application for a special event permit (SEPA) shall be filed not less than ninety days (90) nor more than three hundred sixty five (365) days before the special event is proposed to begin. An application may be submitted less than 90 days prior to the event, but a late application will be subject to an increased permitting fee and there may be additional requirements due to the lateness of the permit.

A pre-application permit submission is required for all Tier Two and Tier Three events, A pre-application shall be filed with the Town Manager not less than one hundred and fifty (150) days before the special event is proposed to begin.

A permit issued under the Special Events Ordinance is not a special events liquor license. Click here to find information about how to apply for a special event liquor license. Please note that you must apply for a special event liquor license at least 30 days prior to the proposed begin of the event. A liquor permit is not required for PRIVATE events (i.e., the when the general public is not permitted to attend the event).

Complete a SPECIAL EVENTS PERMIT APPLICATION and Pre-Application  

Application must be accompanied by a business license application and payment, or proof of a Town of Breckenridge business license.

Please contact the Special Event Permit Administrator at the Breckenridge Tourism Office with questions and/or for assistance with the special events permitting process: Sarah Wetmore, SEPA Administrator, at (970) 453-5048  or Special Events Permit Administrator.

Please find a copy of the Special Events ordinance here.

Event Tiers are determined by the Town Manager based on the following criteria:

TIER ZERO EVENT: A Tier Zero Event has the following characteristics:

  1. The Maximum attendance at any one time is estimated to be between 1-150 people;
  2. Occurs on one day; Occurs on Town-owned property;
  3. Is a private event (i.e., the general public is not permitted to attend the event: and
  4. Has one or more of the following:
    1. No anticipated impact to surrounding areas; or
    2. Minimal impact of Town resources.
    3. Does not require Public Safety staffing beyond normal operations.

TIER ONE EVENT: A Tier One Event has the following characteristics:

  1. The maximum attendance at any one time is estimated to be between 50-500 people;
  2. Occurs on one day;
  3. Is not one of a series of events;
  4. The public is invited to attend the event, either by express invitation or by implication; and
  5. Has one or more of the following:
    1. Minor impact to surrounding areas and can be held within existing venue/use area; or
    2. Minor transportation needs including minimal removal of parking, rolling road closures, and does not require increased transit; or
    3. Does not require Public Safety staffing beyond normal operations.

TIER TWO EVENT: A Tier Two Event has the following characteristics:

  1. The maximum attendance at any one time is estimated to be between 501-1,500 people;
  2. Occurs on not more than two (2) consecutive days or three (3) days in non-consecutive series; and
  3. The public is invited to attend the event, either by express invitation or by implication; and
  4. Has one or more of the following:
    1. Moderate impact to surrounding areas and can be held within existing venue/use area; or
    2. Moderate transportation needs including removal of parking, requires a transportation mitigation plan, may require offsite parking plan, temporary, rolling or short term road closures, and does not require increased transit operations; or
    3. May require limited public safety beyond normal operations.

A TIER THREE EVENT: A Tier Three Event has the following characteristics:

  1. The maximum attendance at any one time is estimated to be more than 1,500 people;
  2. May be a series or have consecutive days of occurrences;
  3. The public is invited to attend the event, either by express invitation or by implication; and
  4. Has one or more of the following:
    1. Moderate to severe impact to surrounding areas and cannot be held within existing venue/use area; or
    2. Moderate to severe transportation needs including removal of parking, requires a transportation mitigation plan, requires offsite parking plan, temporary, rolling or long term road closures, moderate to major residential transportation mitigation and requires increased Free Ride transit operations and/or increased transportation provider outside of the Town’s ability to provide the services required; or
    3. Requires Public Safety needs beyond normal operations including moderate to major support in the venue and/or as well as support of public safety personnel from outside the Town’s jurisdiction.