Special Event Guidelines: Boulder Civic Area

East Bookend (Impact Mitigation/ Notification Required)

Central Park East

Central Park West

The Boulder Country Farmers Market operates within the East Bookend. The East Bookend will be unavailable during these times. Additional marshals or signage may be required to minimize impacts while utilizing Central Park East.

• Boulder County Farmers Market

Special Event layouts should not obstruct access to and from (or any portion) of the bike/pedestrian path along the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse and through Central Park. Additionally, layouts should not obstruct access to and from the Civic Plaza, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, Boulder Public Library, or the Municipal Building at their entrances.

Mobile Vending Carts may not be displaced during your special event. With advanced notification to the cart owner, locations may be shifted to another location during the Special Event permit dates and times. Boulder Parks and Recreation can provide a list of cart names, owners, and contact information.

The Civic Area is home to both public and private properties and uses. As part of the area’s sustainable and viable future, we aim to prove community and social benefit, increase inclusiveness, and minimize impact to like-uses, venues and nearby neighborhoods. Each special event should harmonize with existing and historic structures and places, such as the Atrium Building, Dushanbe Teahouse, Sister Cities Plaza, Municipal Building, Storage and Transfer Building (Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art), Boulder Public Library and the West Senior Center.

In addition to turf restoration periods, the volume and scope of impacts to the Civic Area and Downtown area are considered in the application review. Applications creating excessive impacts, conflicting with consecutive programs or events, and/or requesting infrastructure beyond what is available may be subject to denial, modification, or the requirement of a cash deposit or surety bond.

Event Organizers should use the Civic Area Map Templates to develop a site or route map for submission with the Special Event Application. Templates and Examples are posted online under ‘Example Venue and Site Maps’ on the Special Events Home Page. City of Boulder will determine exact location and size of vendor tables and/or tents after review of the initial application and site map submittal.

Motorized vehicles (including golf carts) are not permitted in any park without Boulder Parks and Recreation authorization (B.R.C. 8-3-6). If authorized;

• Motorized vehicles will be permitted on hardscape areas such as walkways.
• Motorized vehicles authorized for turf access will require an additional damage deposit (B.R.C 8-3-14(c)(4)) and must avoid dripline of any surrounding tree.
• Motorized vehicles may not travel a more than 5 M.P.H.
• Motorized vehicles may only be operated by persons with a valid driver’s license.

There are many multi-use pathways intersecting the Civic Area. Multi-use pathways are considered public right of way. Proposed impacts to these pathways are subject to the terms and conditions found in the Guide and may require a supplemental MHT and/or be subject to denial. The multi-use pathways include the Boulder Creek Path and 13th Street walkway.

The Civic Area provides facilities, services and a physical environment that support and encourage walking, biking and transit use. We aim to ensure that parking spaces are shared by uses with different peak periods. The parking impacts associated with a special event application may be subject to additional requirements or denial. There are currently two B-Cycle stations and four RTD stations available within the Civic Area. Public parking options include the City of Boulder Downtown Parking Garages. City of Boulder Parking Information

In conjunction with impact mitigation considerations, Event Organizers may be required to submit a Production Schedule based on the limited availability of dedicated loading zones. An event production schedule includes all set-up, activation and dismantle dates, times, tasks, deliveries and actions necessary for all event operations. Additionally, Event Organizers may be required to reserve parking spaces and/or provide an MHT to temporarily close the public-right-of-way to safely accommodate loading (specifically for events including temporary structures, inflatables, food trucks, and/or multiple vendor booths).

Public restrooms are available in the Boulder Public Library, Municipal Building and the Dushanbe Teahouse (only during respective hours of operation). You MUST receive written authorization from the City should you publicly direct attendees to them. If authorized, you may need to rent additional portable chemical toilets to accommodate participants. The portable restrooms on the east side of the Civic Plaza are only available for the Boulder County Farmers Market and/or City of Boulder events.