SPECIAL EVENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

Colorado Springs City Code ch. 3, art. 2, pt. 4

in effect

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.401 LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION

3.2.401: LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION: The City of Colorado Springs has a rich history of community pride and involvement. It is appropriate to take time to gather as a community to recognize, celebrate and honor the accomplishments, contributions and privileges of our citizens and our community. The use of public property is often necessary to accommodate the size or type of special events and also provides unique venues for expression and entertainment. It is the purpose of this part to establish an administrative special event permit program that will facilitate the success of these special events, protect the free speech activities of participants and spectators and promote and preserve the public health, safety and welfare. It is Council's intent to protect the rights of its citizens to engage in protected free speech expression activities while providing a coordinated process for the regulation of special events. Reasonable time, place and manner regulation of special events ensures the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of this City and the impact that special events have on public and private facilities and services. Regulation of special events protects the privileges and interests granted to the holder of a special event permit and provides a mechanism for effective management of City assets and resources, and for City cost recovery and revenue sharing for special events. (Ord. 08-179)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.402 AUTHORITY

3.2.402: AUTHORITY: The Mayor shall have authority to administer and enforce the special event permit program created by this part. The Mayor may appoint a committee of Municipal staff members, including Municipal enterprise staff members, to review and recommend action on a special event permit application. The Mayor is further authorized to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement the special event permit program, the work of the review committee, a public input process and the provisions of this part. (Ord. 08-179; Ord. 11-19)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.403 DEFINITIONS

3.2.403: DEFINITIONS: EVENT ORGANIZER: Any person identified in the special event permit application who conducts, manages, promotes, organizes, aids or solicits attendance at or for a special event. PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE: City employees who are responsible for protecting public safety or responding to emergency calls that relate to the public health, safety or welfare. Public safety employees include, but are not limited to, firefighters, police officers and traffic engineering employees. SPECIAL EVENT: A special event includes, but is not limited to: A. Any organized formation, parade, procession or assembly consisting of, or reasonably expected to consist of, one hundred (100) or more persons, and which may include animals, vehicles or any combination thereof, which is to assemble or travel in unison on any public street and which does not comply with normal or usual traffic regulations or controls. B. Any organized assemblage consisting of, or reasonably expected to consist of, one hundred (100) or more persons at any public park which is to gather for a common purpose under the direction or control of a single person or organization. C. Any other organized activity conducted by a person or organization for a common or collective use, purpose or benefit which involves the use of, or has an impact on, other public property or facilities and the provision of public safety services to the activity. D. Any event that requires the temporary closure of a public street, alley or right of way or the erection of barricades. Examples of special events include, but are not limited to, concerts, parades, circuses, fairs, festivals, block parties, community events, mass participation sports (i.e., marathons, running events, bicycle races or tours, etc.), motorcycle rallies or spectator sports. SPECIAL EVENT VENUE: The area within which a special event will be conducted and for which a special event permit has been issued, including any areas necessary for staging or disbanding the special event. (Ord. 08-179)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.404 PERMIT REQUIRED; EXCEPTIONS

3.2.404: PERMIT REQUIRED; EXCEPTIONS: A. It shall be unlawful for any person or organization to conduct, promote, manage, aid, or solicit attendance at a special event without first obtaining a special event permit or a reservation from the Mayor for a date and location for a proposed special event, in accord with subsection 3.2.406A of this part. B. A special event permit is not required for any of the following activities: 1. Funeral processions. 2. Public activities conducted by the City or other governmental entity acting within the scope of its authority. 3. Picketing or other first amendment activities, so long as: a. The activity does not involve the use of vehicles, equipment, animals, fireworks, pyrotechnics; b. No fee or donation is charged or required as a condition of participation in or attendance in the activity; c. The activity is conducted in accord with the law. (Ord. 08-179; Ord. 11-19)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.405 FEES; COSTS

3.2.405: FEES; COSTS: A. Each application for a special event permit shall be accompanied by an application fee, which shall be set by City Council resolution. City Council may establish fees based upon the size, location and nonprofit status of the event organizer. B. If a special event will require the provision of City services, equipment or personnel beyond normal staffing and utilization levels provided to the rest of the City, the Mayor is authorized to negotiate the recovery of costs for City services, equipment and personnel, including, but not limited to, permit review and processing; traffic control review, implementation and devices; police, fire and emergency medical equipment and services; sanitary facilities and cleanup. C. City Council may by resolution waive the recovery of costs for City sponsored special events. (Ord. 08-179; Ord. 11-19)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.406 PERMIT APPLICATION; REQUIRED INFORMATION

3.2.406: PERMIT APPLICATION; REQUIRED INFORMATION: A. An application for a special event permit shall be filed not less than ninety (90) calendar days, nor more than twelve (12) months, prior to the time when the special event is proposed to occur. Within the discretion of the Mayor, a reservation for a date and the location for a proposed special event is permissible up to five (5) years prior to the proposed event. A reservation date shall be finally confirmed with the issuance of the special event permit. B. The application for a special event permit shall be on a form prescribed by the Mayor and may include the following information: 1. The name, address and telephone number of the event organizer and all persons working for the event organizer on the day of the special event to ensure adequate communication between the City and the event organizer and designees. 2. The date(s), time(s) and purpose of the special event, a description of the anticipated event venue and the number and type of participants and spectators expected at the event. 3. A proposed traffic plan for the event venue and surrounding areas affected by the special event. 4. The number and location of portable sanitation facilities and a schedule for delivery, removal and cleanup. 5. A description of the public safety or other public facilities or resources requested to accommodate the special event. 6. Other equipment or services requested to conduct the special event with due regard to participant and public health, safety and welfare. 7. The number of persons proposed or required to monitor or facilitate the special event and provide spectator or participant control and direction for the special event using public streets, sidewalks or other facilities. 8. A medical plan containing provisions for first aid or emergency medical services, or both, based on the special event's risk factors. 9. An estimate of the time and resources needed to clean the venue area after the event. 10. Proof of insurance and surety bond information. 11. Any special or unusual requirements that may be needed or created by virtue of the proposed special event. 12. Any other information reasonably required by the Mayor. C. An application is complete and shall be accepted by the Mayor when all information required by the application form is provided and any required application fees have been paid. Acceptance of an application shall not be deemed acceptance or confirmation of the requested date(s) or time(s) for the special event. (Ord. 08-179; Ord. 11-19)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.407 SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT REVIEW; ISSUANCE; DENIAL

3.2.407: SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT REVIEW; ISSUANCE; DENIAL: A. Final Action: The Mayor shall take final action upon a completed application for a special event permit as soon as practicable. However, the Mayor is not required to take final action upon any special event permit application prior to one hundred eighty (180) calendar days before the special event. B. Issuance: 1. The Mayor may issue a special event permit if the Mayor determines that the special event will not substantially interfere with the public health, safety and welfare, including, but not limited to, aerial navigation; public transportation or other vehicular and pedestrian traffic; construction or development occurring in the public right of way or at a public facility; the movement of police, fire, ambulance and other emergency vehicles on the City streets; any other event for which a permit has already been granted or residential or business access and traffic circulation in the same general venue. The Mayor may place conditions on the special event permit necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. 2. The special event permit shall specify and confirm the date(s), time(s) and venue of the special event and any other terms and conditions necessary to conduct the special event. The event organizer shall be authorized to conduct the special event in accord with the terms of the permit. 3. Issuance of a special event permit does not obligate or require the City to provide City services, equipment or personnel above the normal level of service provided to the rest of the City in support of a special event, except as provided by the terms and conditions of the special event permit. 4. Issuance of a special event permit does not guarantee issuance of other required permits or authorization, including, but not limited to, noise permits, park permits, liquor licenses or permits, zoning approval, Fire Marshal permits, and El Paso County Department of Health and Environment permits or licenses. C. Denial: 1. The Mayor may deny a special event permit application if the Mayor finds that the proposed special event poses a danger to the public health, safety and welfare. In making this determination, the Mayor is authorized to consider: a. Whether the applicant failed to provide for the services of a sufficient number of public safety employees, emergency medical personnel or other monitors for safety and crowd; b. Whether the applicant failed to provide sufficient safety, health or sanitation equipment, services or facilities; c. Whether the applicant failed to provide sufficient off site parking or shuttle service to minimize any adverse impacts on general parking and traffic circulation; d. Whether the applicant failed to provide all required information or otherwise meet all requirements of the application; e. Whether the applicant failed to conduct a previously permitted or exempted special event in accord with the law or the terms and conditions of the special event permit; f. Whether the same previously permitted or exempted special event was conducted in violation of the law or the terms and conditions of the special event permit; or g. Whether the applicant demonstrates an inability or unwillingness to conduct the special event pursuant to the terms or conditions of the special event permit, Federal, State and local law, or other required government approvals; h. Whether the applicant failed to reimburse the City in full for costs of City services, equipment or personnel provided to a previously permitted or exempted special event within sixty (60) days of billing. 2. The Mayor shall notify the applicant in writing within ten (10) days of the date of the Mayor's decision to deny a special event permit. The written notice shall include a brief explanation of the basis for the denial, shall be addressed to the applicant at the address provided on the application and shall be sent via first class, postage prepaid U.S. mail. 3. An applicant may appeal the Mayor's decision to deny a special event permit application, in accord with section 3.2.411 of this part. (Ord. 08-179; Ord. 11-19)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.408 INSURANCE

3.2.408: INSURANCE: A. If required by the Mayor, prior to the issuance of a special event permit the event organizer shall provide a certificate of current commercial general liability insurance complying with this section. B. When required, commercial general liability insurance coverage shall be primary in the name of the permittee, shall have limits not less than those specified and shall name the City as an additional insured: Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage for each occurrence or claim made with an aggregate of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00). C. Each insurance policy shall contain an endorsement to the effect that the insurance carrier shall notify the Mayor at least thirty (30) days in advance of the effective date of any reduction or cancellation of the policy. The cancellation or reduction of insurance coverage shall be cause for automatic suspension of the special event permit until the coverage shall be reinstated. All policies shall be kept in force for the period of the special event permit. (Ord. 08-179; Ord. 11-19)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.409 UNLAWFUL ACTS

3.2.409: UNLAWFUL ACTS: A. It shall be unlawful to conduct a special event without a special event permit as required under this part. B. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or manage any special event for which a special event permit has not been issued. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct, impede or interfere with any authorized assembly, person, vehicle or animal participating in a permitted special event. D. It shall be unlawful for any event organizer to fail to pay the costs to provide City services, equipment and personnel (including, but not limited to, permit review and processing; traffic control review, implementation and devices; police, fire and emergency medical equipment and services; sanitary facilities and cleanup) to a special event within sixty (60) days of billing. (Ord. 08-179)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.410 SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION

3.2.410: SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION: A. A special event permit may be revoked at any time if the Mayor determines: 1. That the special event is being conducted in violation of any term or condition of the special event permit or of any other law or ordinance; 2. The special event poses an imminent threat to the public health, safety or welfare; or 3. The permit applicant, event organizer or any person associated with the special event has failed to obtain any other permit or license required by law. B. If the special event permit is revoked after issuance of the permit but prior to the commencement of the event, the Mayor shall provide the event organizer written notice of revocation. The written notice of revocation shall set forth the reasons for the revocation. C. If after commencement of the special event, there is an emergency requiring immediate revocation of a special event permit, the Mayor may notify the permit holder verbally of the revocation and order the event organizer to cease the event. It shall be unlawful for an event organizer to fail to comply with a verbal notice of revocation and order to cease the event. D. A permit applicant or event organizer may appeal a revocation of the special event permit in accord with section 3.2.411 of this part. (Ord. 08-179; Ord. 11-19)

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.2.411 APPEALS

3.2.411: APPEALS: A. Grant/Denial: In accord with section 1.2.301 of this Code, the Mayor shall have the administrative discretion to grant a special event permit, with or without conditions, or to deny a special event permit as necessary for the effective management of City assets and resources or to reserve a special event date and location up to five (5) years prior to the proposed special event. The Mayor's decision to grant, with or without conditions, or to deny a special event permit or to reserve a special event date and location shall not be appealable. B. Suspension/Revocation: Any holder of a special event permit may appeal the Mayor's decision to suspend or revoke the special event permit to the City Council. The appeal shall be in writing, shall be executed by the appellant or the applicant's agent or attorney, in duplicate, shall state and specify briefly the grounds for the appeal, and shall be filed with the Mayor within ten (10) days after the action or decision appealed. The City Council shall then give public notice of the appeal and hold a public hearing. The hearing shall be de novo and all facts and circumstances shall be heard and considered. At the conclusion of the hearing the Council may revoke the permit or order the continuance or reinstatement of the permit. (Ord. 08-179; Ord. 11-19)

Source: City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-4664Fetched: 11/1/2026