Film and Photography

You are required to obtain a City and County of Denver film permit if ANY of the following apply to your shoot on public property (parks, streets, sidewalks and alleys):

• the production involves more than 5 people total (crew subjects/actors)
• equipment other than handheld cameras is being used
• the flow of traffic, pedestrian or vehicular, will be impacted
• public parking is utilized or impacted
• a generator is being used
• pyrotechnics are being used
• chase scenes, violence or crime is being depicted
• you would like exclusive use of an area; closing it down to the public

Even when a film permit is not required, it is your responsibility to know the rules governing the area in which you are shooting and to ensure that the location remains open to the public. Please review the City and County of Denver's  Film Permit Rules and Regulations and also Denver's Park Rules prior to any shoot in public parks.

Note: Film permits are NOT required for same-day media coverage.

The City and County of Denver is currently (01/04/2021) at a Level Orange on the State of Colorado's COVID-19 Dial and is following the "Level Orange: High Risk" set of restrictions. 

Every person and/or organization holding a film permit from the City and County of Denver’s Office of Special Events (OSE) must comply with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Public Health Orders and Guidance and the applicable Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) Public Health Orders that are in effect at the time of the production. Compliance with Colorado PHOs and Guidelines are a condition of all CCD Film Permits.

State of Colorado and City and County of Denver Public Health Orders and related Executive Orders and Guidance on public gatherings and outdoor events may change at any time with no prior notice. Changes in any orders may result in additional requirements to permit holders and issued permits, and may result in event cancellation. The permitting agency will make reasonable efforts to provide notice to permit holders of changes in orders or requirements. These tips will help support adherence to the state’s orders and guidelines.

• There are no restrictions prohibiting people from out of state coming to film in Denver, at this time (07/15/2020).

• Film Productions and Photo Shoots are limited to a total of 75 people when outside and 50 people when indoors. Actual number to be determined by the state’s social distancing space calculator.”

• Productions must review the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Workplace Outbreak Guidance and develop a production-specific plan and checklist to manage the applicable prevention and mitigation requirements and recommendations.

• Production must train staff on prevention and mitigation practices.

• Production must collect and maintain a list of staff, volunteers and contractors to support COVID-19 contact tracing.

• Production must follow CDPHE’s Guidance for Cleaning and sanitize common touch points.

• All members of the production, including cast, crew, and contractors are required to wash hands upon arrival on set, departure and frequently throughout the day.

• Production must implement symptom monitoring protocols (including workplace temperature monitoring and symptom screening questions – guidance found here).

• Employees who have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (generally within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes, depending on level of exposure) should not report to work and instead self-quarantine.

• When possible, production should group employees into teams or shifts that stick together to limit mixing between different teams or shifts.

• Cast and crews are considered coworkers, which allows them to gather in groups larger than 10 and be within 6 feet of one another, but they MUST wear a face covering at ALL TIMES. Face coverings are required of crew members regardless of proximity to others.

• Actors, models, and performers MUST wear face coverings unless they are part of the same household OR unless they are farther than 6 feet away from all other people involved in the shoot (including other actors) and 25 feet away from the general public.  (From the order: Performers who maintain at least a 25-foot distance from attendees or patrons and at least a six-foot distance from each other and other employees at all times during their performance are exempt from mask requirement. Performers must wear a face covering at all other times when they are on the premises and not performing)

Hours for Shooting or Filming - The film permit allows for activity between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 pm. Setting up, filming or breaking down before or after this time-frame is prohibited.

Notice of Shooting or Filming - If any activity related to your shoot may cause noise or any disturbance to the normal activity in the area, you must provide advance notice to businesses and residents that may be impacted. Contact Jill.Lis@denvergov.org with any questions about community outreach.

Read the full list of Rules & Regulations for film and photo shoots on public property in Denver.

There is no charge to apply for or obtain a film permit. Depending on the activities taking place as part of the shoot, there may be costs associated with other permits that may be required. In addition, you may be responsible for any staffing costs if City employees need to be on-site or supervising production activities.

For use of any of these locations, please coordinate directly with the contacts listed below.

16th Street Pedestrian Mall - Pam Sellden psellden@downtowndenver.com 303-571-8221

Wynkoop Plaza (outside of Union Station) - Ryan Butcher, rbutcher@downtowndenver.com 303-779-5710

Union Station (inside) - Sam Gentry, sam@unionstationindenver.com

Larimer Square - Karen Mulville, karen.mulville@urban-villages.com, 720-904-0928

Denver Art Museum - Iris Kosmicki, ikosmicki@denverartmuseum.org

Millennium Bridge - Anna Jones, anna.jones@claconnect.com, 303-779-5710