Event Planning Permit Requirements in Denver, CO

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if operating as a business entity (LLC or corporation) or if you have employees. Free from the IRS. You will need an EIN to open a business bank account and sign vendor contracts professionally.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Colorado Business Registration (Secretary of State)

   An event planning business organized as an LLC, corporation, limited partnership or similar entity must file its formation document with the Colorado Secretary of State, which is done online. A sole proprietor or general partnership operating under a name other than the owner's own name files a Trade Name Statement with the Secretary of State as well - Colorado does not register trade names at the county clerk. Registered entities must also file an annual Periodic Report to stay in good standing. An LLC or corporation provides personal liability protection, which matters when coordinating large events.

   Official government source

   $50 to file Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (profit or nonprofit corporation) online; $20 for a Trade Name Statement, $5 to renew one; $25 for the annual Periodic Report, with a $50 late-filing penalty. Fees revised July 1, 2024.·Online filings are effective on submission. The Secretary of State charges an additional $150 only for expedited handling of paper filings (fulfilled within three business days), which indicates paper is the slow path; file online.

   $50 to file Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (profit or nonprofit corporation) online; $20 for a Trade Name Statement, $5 to renew one; $25 for the annual Periodic Report, with a $50 late-filing penalty. Fees revised July 1, 2024.

   Online filings are effective on submission. The Secretary of State charges an additional $150 only for expedited handling of paper filings (fulfilled within three business days), which indicates paper is the slow path; file online.

2. Colorado Sales Tax License (if selling taxable goods)

   Event planning coordination is a service, and Colorado does not tax services (§39-26-102(15)(a)(I) C.R.S.), so planning fees are not subject to state sales tax. A license is needed only if you sell tangible goods such as decorations, floral arrangements or event supplies. Issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue; home-rule cities such as Denver license and tax separately.

   Official government source

   $16 for the two-year license period when applying January–June of an even year, prorated to $12, $8 or $4 later in the cycle, plus a one-time refundable $50 deposit for a new account ($66 total for a first location); the deposit is refunded once $50 in state sales tax has been remitted — no license is needed if you sell only services·Immediate when filed online through MyBizColorado or Revenue Online

   $16 for the two-year license period when applying January–June of an even year, prorated to $12, $8 or $4 later in the cycle, plus a one-time refundable $50 deposit for a new account ($66 total for a first location); the deposit is refunded once $50 in state sales tax has been remitted — no license is needed if you sell only services

   Immediate when filed online through MyBizColorado or Revenue Online

1. Denver — No General Business License Required (home occupation zoning permit may apply)

   Denver does not issue a general or blanket business license. Its Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (formerly the Department of Excise and Licenses) publishes a License Directory of exactly 68 category-specific licenses (body art establishment, massage business, retail food, kennel, short-term rental, alarm business and similar). Event planning is not among them, so no Denver business license applies. If events are coordinated from a home address, a Zoning Permit for a Home Occupation from Community Planning and Development is required; that permit costs $20.

   Official government source

   $0 for a business license; $20 for a Home Occupation zoning permit if working from a residence·Not applicable for a business license

   $0 for a business license; $20 for a Home Occupation zoning permit if working from a residence

   Not applicable for a business license

2. Denver Event Operational Permit (EOP)

   Denver's permit for events on public property is the Event Operational Permit, issued by Public Event & Film Permitting under Denver Arts & Venues. As the event planner you may be applying on your client's behalf. An EOP is required when the event is open to the public, is held on public property (parks, streets, sidewalks, alleys or plazas), and includes any of: propane, open flames, fireworks or floats; generators over 5kW, stages or other structures; sale of tickets, food, alcohol, CBD or merchandise; body art, animals or water attractions; hired security or off-duty police; or marijuana advertising, themes or sponsors. A low-impact event needs no EOP: 350 or fewer attendees per day, fully contained within a park, no right-of-way closures, no fireworks or pyrotechnics, and no drones. Related approvals such as a park permit, a Special Event Revocable Street Occupancy Permit and a traffic control plan are separate and carry their own fees.

   Official government source

   EOP application processing fees are banded by estimated total daily attendance: $25 for 1-350, $75 for 351-3,000, $150 for 3,001-10,000 and $250 for more than 10,000. Fees are doubled for applications filed less than 60 days before the first setup date, and a rush fee equal to the application fee applies if city requirements are not met at least five days before the event. Other city agencies charge their own permit fees.·Apply at least 60 days before the event setup date; first-time or complex events, including multiple street closures, should contact PEFP 90 days ahead. Applications filed less than 60 days out may be denied or incur a late fee, some agencies will not accept late applications at all, and PEFP will not accept any application filed less than 30 days before setup.

   EOP application processing fees are banded by estimated total daily attendance: $25 for 1-350, $75 for 351-3,000, $150 for 3,001-10,000 and $250 for more than 10,000. Fees are doubled for applications filed less than 60 days before the first setup date, and a rush fee equal to the application fee applies if city requirements are not met at least five days before the event. Other city agencies charge their own permit fees.

   Apply at least 60 days before the event setup date; first-time or complex events, including multiple street closures, should contact PEFP 90 days ahead. Applications filed less than 60 days out may be denied or incur a late fee, some agencies will not accept late applications at all, and PEFP will not accept any application filed less than 30 days before setup.

3. Denver Temporary Use Zoning Permit

   Denver is a consolidated city and county — there is no unincorporated "Denver County" land outside city limits, so there is no separate county permit. A temporary use zoning permit from Community Planning and Development is required for time-limited activities on private property, including a bazaar, carnival, circus or special event, outdoor retail sales, and a food truck operating on private property. Article 11 of the Denver Zoning Code sets the limitations for each use type. Apply online with a written project narrative and a site plan; if you do not own the property, include a notarized letter from the owner. Other city permits or licenses may also apply.

   Official government source

   Denver quotes the zoning permit fee through its e-permits system after you apply; the amount depends on the temporary use type·Apply well before the event date — the permit will not issue until the narrative, site plan and any owner authorization are complete

   Denver quotes the zoning permit fee through its e-permits system after you apply; the amount depends on the temporary use type

   Apply well before the event date — the permit will not issue until the narrative, site plan and any owner authorization are complete

Official Sources

• Denver Business Licensing
• Colorado Secretary of State — Business Registration
• IRS EIN Application

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