Information about City of Boulder Special Event Liquor Permits

How to apply for a Special Event Liquor Permit held on Private Property and Permit Requirements

Special Event Liquor Permit Requirements

  • Pursuant to State Liquor Code and City of Boulder regulations, anyone that is selling and/or serving alcohol at an event (1) to which members of the general public have access, and/or (2) that has been posted to social media platforms or otherwise publicly announced, is required to obtain a Special Event Liquor Permit. Nonprofit organizations are the only entities that qualify as an applicant. Each entity is limited to fifteen (15) days per calendar year for special event permits.
  • CRS 44-5-105 (5) A special event permit holder shall make available sandwiches or other food snacks during all hours of service of malt, spirituous, or vinous liquors, but prepared meals need not be served. For a special event held by a chamber of commerce, pursuant to a permit issued under section 44-5-102 (1)(d), the chamber of commerce and each participating member shall make available snacks and sandwiches during all hours when alcohol beverages are served.
  • Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event date or they cannot be accepted. Applications can be accepted up to 90 days prior to the event.
  • The application must include both the city and the state application, including all required documents, according to the application checklist. Do not send the application directly to the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division.
  • After the application is reviewed by staff, a public notice poster will need to be picked up by the applicant and posted at the event location for at least ten days.
  • Please contact the Regulatory Licensing Division at 303-441-4192 or email us at LicensingOnline@bouldercolorado.gov with any questions.

How to Apply for a Special Event Liquor Permit (Private Property)

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.

Complete our Liquor Special Event application form

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 DR8439
  • City of Boulder Special Event Liquor Permit Application Private Property
  • 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.
  • 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 non-profit'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.
  • Exempt City Sales and Use Tax License applied for and already issued for the non-profit. This application is available on the Sales and Use Tax webpage.

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)

Licensing Process

  • Special event liquor permit applications, including both state form, city form, required attachments, and necessary fees must be submitted at least 30 days prior to event date
  • A public notice poster will be prepared by city to include non- profit’s legal name, event location address, event day of week, event date, and event time duration, non-profit mailing address and non-profit event coordinator contact person’s name, and 10 day posting end day of week and date. Non-profit representative must know the date that the poster will be put up, that will be in a conspicuous posting within public view, and that the poster will remain up for a 10-day period at the event location.
  • Licensing staff will add to yearly permit tally list, add event details to yearly special event list, e-route event application to city special event committee members, and add calendar tickler for end of 10-day posting period.
  • When 10 day posting period has ended, licensing staff must receive a completed Affidavit of Posting from non-profit indicating completion of legal posting.
  • If no negative public comment is received during the 10-day public period which would trigger a Beverage Licensing Authority (BLA) hearing, then Licensing staff will add a status to yearly special event list indicating application mailing to state, check the state events list on the state website, and locally approve the state and city permit application. If neighborhood or enforcement comment is received that indicates a BLA hearing, then non-profit must be notified in writing, application hearing must be added to BLA hearing agenda, and event location must be posted for a 10-day period for the public hearing.
  • Licensing staff will issue city permit confirmation form in the temporary license database, including event duration as the issued date and the expiration date, the day of week, date and time duration of the event, and the event coordinator’s name and contact cell phone number at the event.
  • Licensing staff will update yearly special event list indicating that the date that the permit is final issued.

  • Licensing staff will email the following documents: city permit, inspection checklist, and minor warning sign. These 3 items should be posted behind the main bar at the event location by the non-profit.

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:

Special Event 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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