The City of Steamboat Springs relies on the following policy criteria when looking at issuing an event permit for Park Venues, Streets, Capacity, Deadlines and Denials.
The Event Venue Policy was approved by City Council in an effort to support high quality event planning and fun experiences.
The policy sets out parameters around certain facilities and how events may impact ancillary venues in the immediate area.
Sports Events and Government/School/Private activities
100% of the facility may be used
Regional Parks
All event types
100% of the facility may be used
Community Parks
All event types
Venues defined in advance by the city
Neighborhood Parks
Government/School/Private activities only
50% of the facility may be used, area used to be defined in advance by the city
Natural Areas
Government/School/Private activities only
25% of the facility may be used, area used to be defined in advance by the city
Primary Trails
Sports Events, Civic/School/Private activities. Restricted to running/walking events (low impact, no mass start/finish), non-timed bicycle events (low impact)
50% of the trail system. (Example: Core Trail-Run Rabbit Run)
Secondary Trails
Sports Events, Civic/School/Private activities. Restricted to running/walking events (low impact, no mass start/finish), non-timed bicycle events (low impact)
25% of the trail system. (Example: Butcherknife Canyon Trail: Townie 24 Hour Ride)
Mini Parks / Pocket Parks / Open Space / Conserved Open Space
Public access only. No special or sports events or formal activities
Backcountry Trails
Sports Events, Civic/School/Private activities. Restrictions by trail area (Example: Spring Creek-no timed bicycle events, Routt County permission for use of road); 75% of the trail system
Arterial Road (Highway 40):
No closures except for Winter Carnival (both days), 4th of July Parade, Steamboat Springs Marathon (partial closure), and Halloween Stroll.
Collector Road:
The following collector roads may be closed for an events:
Yampa Street
4th Street, Lincoln to Oak
5th Street, Oak to Pine
6th Street, Yampa to Oak
7th Street, Yampa to Lincoln
8th Street, Yampa to Pine
10th Street, Yampa to Oak
12th Street, Yampa to Lincoln
Local Road
All local roads will be considered for requests for events for a period not to exceed 6 hours, with notification of all impacted properties. Adjacent closures, construction needs, neighbor access, and public safety will be considered in the review process.
Venues will have a maximum capacity determined by venue size
Areas within the city will have a maximum capacity based on impact and public safety access
The city as a whole has a maximum capacity based on staffing, safety, and impacts
Venue Reservation:
Minimum 45 days in advance, maximum of 2 years in advance for existing events
Event permit submission:
Not less than 45 days, not more than 365 days before the event is proposed to begin.
Late Fee: $500 per incidence
City will process a permit in 30 days or less after complete application is received
City personnel requests:
Not less than 45 days before the event is proposed to begin
City equipment requests:
Not less than 45 days before the event is proposed to begin
Deadline to cancel event requests:
Not less than 15 days
An event permit will be denied:
If there are safety, staffing, capacity, and impacts from the event are deemed out of the ability for the city to manage
If the applicant or event has unpaid fees to the city
If the event was noncompliant with city requirements in previous years
If the event conflicts with an annual special event which is reasonably expected to be held again, but for which an application has yet to be submitted.