Special Use Permits

Groups or individuals wishing to participate in or run their own programs on Larimer County Natural Resources Parks and Open Spaces must fill out the required permit or request forms.

Special Events

Event or activity requiring special planning, scheduling, and/or significant impact to natural resources, including research projects. 

Group Programs

Groups of 12 or more, and education or community groups who want to schedule an activity must submit a request for a program.

Photography & Film Permits

Portrait or Commercial Photography or Filming on Natural Resources Properties

Entrance Passes

Daily and Annual Entrance Pass Information

Parks and Open Spaces

Any event/activity taking place in Department of Natural Resources areas that may require special planning or scheduling; may significantly impact natural and cultural resources; or may significantly impact departmental values, norms, liabilities, and/or visitor expectations. This permit is governed by departmental policy DNR-08 Special Activities on Larimer County Parks and Open Spaces Properties. 

If you are interested in making a group pavilion reservation, please visit larimer.org/naturalresources/reservations/group-pavilions resources for more information regarding events and weddings at our parks and open spaces.

Please visit the County's Special Event application page for more info: https://apps.larimer.org/specialevent/

Thank you for your interest in becoming a short-term concessionaire at one of the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources parks or open spaces.

All parks and open space concessions follow and comply with the Short-Term Concession License for Larimer County Department of Natural Resources. Proposals which do not meet the terms of this document will not be considered.

Applications will be accepted from October through December for the following year, and will not be accepted after December 31. Staff will review all applications in early January, with final selections made by mid-January and notifications sent to all applicants by February 1.

This new schedule allows LCDNR to collect and evaluate all proposals at the same time, ensuring they are considered consistently and in alignment with department values, site needs, and the overall visitor experience. By consolidating the process, applicants also receive a clear timeline for planning their 2026 operations.

The first step is to complete the following:

Short-Term Concession Application

In the application you will need to attach a written proposal detailing your business plan. The proposal should include the details about the proposed concession. For example: 

  • What is it?
  • Who will be operating it?
  • On which of the Larimer County parks or open spaces would it operate?
  • When in the year will it operate?
  • What will be the days of the week and hours of operation?
  • What will the group size be (how many heartbeats) and how many vehicles?
  • What charges and/or fees are associated? 

Once your proposal is received and reviewed, a District Manager will contact you to discuss the details and feasibility of working in the Larimer County system.

You are required to carry insurance as specified in the Insurance Requirements.

If you have questions about the process or requirements, please contact Carolyn Rasmus at (970) 498-6474 or rasmuscl@larimer.org.

 

Current Short Term Concessionaires:

  • Foundry Saunas
  • High Plains Scuba
  • Sojourner Mountain Guides
  • St. Peter's Fly Shop
  • Brad Petersen Outdoors
  • Love4Flyfishing
  • Angles Sports
  • Colorado Wave Riders
  • Northern Colorado Fishing Outfitters
  • Cheley Colorado Camps
  • Ciclismo Youth Foundation, DBA SendTown
  • JoeFish Guiding
  • Mountainside Watersports
  • On the Edge Tuning & Blue Mind Sports

 

If you are looking to reserve more than five campsites for a group program or event, please contact parksoffice@larimer.org and provide the following info: Group Size, Event Description, Program Activities, Dates of trip, and preferred location. 

Group Reservation requests are typically not approved between Memorial Day - Labor Day (peak season). 

For more information about camping with Larimer County Natural Resources, please visit https://www.larimer.gov/naturalresources/reservations. 

Sky View Campground at Carter Lake is now open for reservations! This group electric campground can accommodate up to 40 people per pod or 120 people total. Visit the Sky View page for more info. 

Pavilions are available at multiple Natural Resource properties. For more information, visit our Pavilion page. 

To reserve a pavilion, please visit https://www.larimercamping.com/.

Hunting on Red Mountain Open Space and Soapstone Prairie Natural Area is managed by Larimer County Natural Resources and City of Fort Collins Natural Areas. 

The Special Access Hunting Permit Application is available online annually in February, with the drawing in the first week of March. 

For more info, visit the Red Mountain Hunting page. 


FAQs

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  1. I want to get married at a Larimer County Park/Open Space. What permits do I need?

    If you are having 20 or less people attend a wedding ceremony, you can look into a photography permit.

    If you want to reserve a pavilion for a reception of 20-150 people, please visit our Group Pavilion info page.

    If the event you have in mind does not fit those categories, then check out the Special Event application online. 

    Also, you can visit this page for information about weddings at Hermit Park Open Space.

  2. Why do you require a certificate of insurance for Special Events and Photography Permits?

    Due to the business/commercial nature of these requests, the County requires a Certificate of Insurance that names the Department of Natural Resources as an additional insured. It is just an extra level for protection for all parties involved, and it should not cost you anything extra on top of your business insurance policy.