Community Event Permits

Over the past few months, Town staff has been involved in on-going discussions with Tri-County Health Department leadership regarding Coronavirus COVID-19 as it relates to permitting for community events. During a pandemic, health agencies have statutory authority regarding public gatherings. 

With that, the Parker Town Administrator, Michelle Kivela, has issued Emergency Order 13-2020 implementing additional requirements for community events as a result of the pandemic. A summary of the key provisions in the order are as follows: 

  • Requirement to adhere to all applicable public health orders
  • Submittal and adherence to a social distancing plan and sanitation/hygiene plan for the event 
  • Tri-County Health Department approval of social distancing and sanitation/hygiene plans - (Parker staff will refer applications to TCHD for review)
  • Payment to cover Town costs (including overtime) for personnel required to support the event in the form of an advanced deposit

Recognizing that events require advanced planning and expenses, the Town understands the difficulty in deciding whether to proceed with planning events or making an early decision to cancel. Please keep in mind that the decision ultimately resides with each event organizer and their unique circumstances. 

Should you decide to submit a community event permit application and proceed with planning the event, the Town will incur some costs. For each application submitted after May 15, 2020 and subsequently canceled, the Town will review each community event permit application on a case-by-case basis to determine an appropriate refund amount of the permit fees. 


The Town of Parker Municipal Code, Chapter 10.08, requires that a Community Event Permit must be obtained from the Town before any group or individual can conduct an organized event on, or directly impacting, Town property or roadways within Town limits. An organized event is defined as any parade, rally of any group of ten (10) or more persons, block party of any group of ten (10) or more persons, or community event of one hundred (100) or more persons in or upon public property and rights-of-way, or upon privately owned property where the event is likely to impact the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on public property or rights-of-way. Parades for commercial purposes are not permitted. It is the Town's policy to regulate events involving the use of, or impact to, Town property, public facilities, sidewalks or roadways in the interests of public safety, loss control, and limiting liability. 

An application for a permit may be filed NO MORE THAN 9 MONTHS before the event, but shall be received NO LATER THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS BEFORE the actual event date to ensure adequate review time by Town staff and outside agencies, unless otherwise approved by the Town Administrator’s office. Apply for a Community Event Permit.

Rentals involving parks and related facilities, the Schoolhouse or Parker Arts, Cultural and Events (PACE) Center are in addition to the Community Event Permit Application Process. Parks and facility rentals are made on a first-come, first-served basis and should be made as far in advance of the event rental as possible. Please contact the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department at 303.805.6311 or visit the Parks and Recreation website for reservation information regarding parks and trails. For rental of the Schoolhouse or PACE, please contact the Cultural Department at 303.805.6800 or PACE Rentals.

The Community Event Permit does not apply to such activities as family reunions, picnics, outings, and other similar daily and routine individual, or family leisure and recreational uses, unless the proposed activities will impact the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

View the Town of Parker's Community Event Permit Fee Summary

It is the Town’s goal to assist event organizers in planning safe and successful events that create a minimal impact on the Town’s resources and facilities. We hope that you find these instructions helpful in completing the application. For more detailed information, please view the Community Event Permit Guide.