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/

Short-term concessionaire permit requests (such as tour groups, on-site vendors, etc.) require a license to utilize Larimer County Parks and Open Spaces for business operations: Please contact Carolyn Rasmus for more information. 

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

  Expand All   Collapse All
  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.