Information about City of Boulder Festival Liquor Permits

How to apply for a Festival Liquor Permit

Festival Liquor Permit Requirements

Ordinance 8752 effective July 18, 2026 implementing a local application and permit for a Festival Liquor Permit.

  • Festival Permit Rules are found in Colorado Revised Statute 44-3-404.
  • Existing liquor licensees that hold a Beer and Wine, Hotel and Restaurant, Tavern, Brew Pub, Vintner's Restaurant, Distillery Pub, Manufacturer's, Wholesaler's or Limited Wineries license are eligible to apply for a Festival Liquor Permit.
  • Applications and fees must be submitted to both the State of Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division and the City of Boulder at least 30 days prior to the event.
  • The application must include both the city and the state application, including all required documents required on the state checklist here: Festival Permit | Department of Revenue - Specialized Business Group
  • Qualifying licensee's may hold up to 9 festival events per year and each festival can last up to 72 hours in length. Qualifying licensees may participate in up to 52 festival events per year.
  • Please contact the Regulatory Licensing Division at 303-441-4192 or email us at licensingonline@bouldercolorado.gov with any questions.

How to Apply

Register for a City of Boulder Customer Self Service Portal Account

Register at City of Boulder Customer Self-Service Portal

CSS Registration Guide

Note - You will use the Customer Self-Service Portal to "Apply" by uploading all of the documents required for your application based on the information and steps below.

Request a Secure Folder

In order to submit an application for a Liquor Special Event Permit, you must send a request to Licensing Staff using the link below.

Request a secure folder to upload your documents

Staff will respond within 1-2 business days with your application number and instructions to upload the application materials.

Complete Application Packet

Below is the list of required forms and documents to submit a legally complete application packet. City of Boulder forms with links will need to be completed and a pdf of the form will be emailed to you, please save these forms. Items without a link are attachments that you will create and provide. Once you have compiled the list of required documents, they will be uploaded in the Customer Self-Service Portal during the final step of the application process.

  • State of Colorado Form DR8420
  • City of Boulder Liquor Festival Permit Application
  • Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State's website listing in text "non-profit corporation" in the name of the applicable non-profit
  • Dimensioned event diagram indicating square footage of the entire event space with food and bar locations, exits/entrances of event space, and perimeter of alcohol service area and tables marked. Must be on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.
  • Attach a copy of premises control plan outlining how premises will be controlled to ensure compliance with liquor code provisions including restricting sales to minors and intoxicated persons and ensuring that festival participants cannot leave the premises with open containers of alcohol beverages.
  • Lease, deed, or signed Letter of Permission from the event space property owner which provides possession of the space of the non-profit as indicated by reference to the licensee's legal name for the calendar date and time duration of the proposed event and includes permission or acknowledgment that alcohol will be served in the event space.
  • List of participating licensees

Additional Information That May Apply

Apply & Pay Online

Applications are assigned to Regulatory Licensing Staff on Tuesday Mornings.

  • Log Into City of Boulder Customer Self-Service Portal
  • Select the "My Work" option on the dashboard
  • Select "My Permits"
  • Locate your permit and click on the permit number
  • Select the "Attachments" option
  • Select "Add Attachments" and locate your completed application
  • Select "Submit"
  • To pay fees, select the "Fees" option (if your event is on more than one day, additional days will be invoiced by the Licensing Specialist assigned to process your application)

Have Questions?

The Regulatory Licensing Division holds virtual application clinics every Wednesday morning from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., which you may attend via call in to ask liquor license application questions:

Festival Liquor Permit Diagram Examples

The following diagrams provide examples of how to clearly illustrate the layout of a special event where alcohol will be served and consumed. These sample layouts are intended to help applicants understand how to meet the requirements for a special event liquor permit. Diagrams should show the location of alcohol service and consumption areas, entry and exit points, and any fencing or barriers used to control access, depending on whether the event is held indoors or outdoors.

An outdoor special event layout for a liquor permit.

Outdoor Event Layout

This diagram illustrates an example layout for an outdoor special event requiring a liquor permit. The focal point of the diagram is a fenced-in beer garden, which serves as the designated area where alcohol can be both served and consumed. The beer garden is clearly marked with entry and exit points, and includes a gate where staff check IDs before allowing entry. Inside the fenced area, there is a point-of-sale location where alcoholic beverages are sold. The fencing ensures that the alcohol consumption area is securely enclosed, preventing unauthorized access or the removal of alcohol from the premises. This example emphasizes the importance of controlled access and visible boundaries to meet compliance requirements for liquor licensing.

An indoor special event layout for a liquor permit.

Indoor Event Layout 

This diagram provides an example of a layout for an indoor special event where alcohol will be served, illustrating how to clearly define permitted liquor areas within an enclosed structure. The floor plan includes permanent walls, rooms, and key facilities such as restrooms and a seating area. A bar area is highlighted as the sole point of alcohol service, and the surrounding consumption area is shaded to indicate the space where attendees are allowed to carry and consume alcoholic beverages. Areas not included in the permit, such as hallways or adjacent rooms, remain unshaded to show that alcohol consumption is not permitted there. This layout demonstrates how to clearly delineate liquor service and consumption zones inside a building, ensuring compliance with special event permit regulations.

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