The 2026 Permitting Freeze is a memorandum from the Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) addressed to all Street Occupancy Permit applicants. It is one of the Denver permit notices that affect work in the public right-of-way: from November 26, 2026 through January 3, 2027, DOTI will not issue new closure permits in the Central Business District and Cherry Creek North. Contractors, utility crews and developers who plan street, alley, sidewalk or parking lane closures should read it before choosing dates. On FillingPDF you can view and download the official PDF; the memo itself is published by the City and County of Denver.
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What is 2026 Permitting Freeze – Denver, CO?
The 2026 Permitting Freeze is a memorandum from the Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) announcing that it will not issue new right-of-way closure permits in downtown and Cherry Creek North from November 26, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
The memo is dated August 26, 2026 and signed off by Michael Holm, P.E., Engineering Manager. It explains the purpose of the freeze: to promote access to retail and dining establishments during the holiday season and give patrons the best experience possible.
It is a notice, not an application. Nothing in it is completed or filed. It tells applicants what DOTI will do during the freeze:
- New applications for parking meter bagging, or for street, alley, sidewalk and parking lane closures, will not be issued in the covered areas.
- Applications to close streets that provide access to those retail areas will not be issued either; the attached maps mark these streets.
- Permits issued before the freeze starts stay valid through it.
The freeze covers two areas: the Central Business District (downtown) and the Cherry Creek North Business District. It concerns permits for utility or development construction that close the public right-of-way. It is not a general building permit notice and does not change how other Denver permits are issued.
Who needs to file 2026 Permitting Freeze – Denver, CO?
The memo is addressed to all Street Occupancy Permit applicants. It matters most to anyone planning utility or development construction that would close the public right-of-way in the Central Business District or Cherry Creek North between November 26, 2026 and January 3, 2027.
It applies to people who need:
- parking meter bagging;
- a street, alley, sidewalk or parking lane closure in the two areas; or
- a closure of a street that gives access to those retail areas, as shown on the attached maps.
Who is affected differently:
- Holders of permits issued before the freeze begins: their permits remain valid through the freeze. If they want to close additional areas, those new applications must be resubmitted with dates after January 3.
- Applicants for emergency utility repairs and holiday events: the memo says these applications continue to be a high priority and will be reviewed and issued as needed.
- Applicants who believe their work should go ahead: the City Traffic Engineer (or designee) considers exceptions case by case, depending on the work's potential impact on critical retail areas.
When to file 2026 Permitting Freeze – Denver, CO
Nothing is filed on this memo. The triggering date is the start of the freeze: November 26, 2026 (Thursday), running through January 3, 2027 (Sunday). During that period DOTI will not issue new permits for meter bagging or for street, alley, sidewalk and parking lane closures in the Central Business District and Cherry Creek North, or for the streets that give access to them.
Permits issued before November 26, 2026 continue to be valid. Applicants who want to close additional areas are asked to resubmit with dates that begin after January 3. The DOTI Street Occupancy page adds that meter bagging requests take up to 72 hours to process and should be submitted at least 1 week before the event.
How to fill out 2026 Permitting Freeze – Denver, CO
Open the official memo PDF
View or download the 2026 Permitting Freeze memorandum. It has no lines to complete; it is a notice to Street Occupancy Permit applicants.
Check your location against the maps
Compare your work site with the Central Business District and Cherry Creek North areas and with the access streets marked on the attached maps.
Compare your dates with the freeze
The freeze runs from November 26, 2026 (Thursday) through January 3, 2027 (Sunday). Work that needs a new closure or meter bagging permit in that period is affected.
Adjust or resubmit your application
If you want to close additional areas, resubmit with dates that begin after January 3. If your work is an emergency utility repair or a holiday event, note that the memo treats these as a high priority.
Apply through the DOTI channels
Submit permit requests through E-Permits or the Online Meter Bagging Permit System, as described under How to submit.
How to submit 2026 Permitting Freeze – Denver, CO
The memo is not submitted anywhere: it is a notice, and the memo prints no address, form or portal of its own. Permit applications are handled through DOTI's usual channels.
- E-Permits: the DOTI Street Occupancy page says all right-of-way street cut, street occupancy and ROW construction permits must be submitted online through E-Permits, with the DOTI Street Occupancy Request Worksheet and traffic plans uploaded. The page is at https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/Programs-Services/Right-of-Way-Services/Street-Occupancy.
- Meter bagging: applications are managed through the Online Meter Bagging Permit System.
- Exceptions: the memo says the City Traffic Engineer (or designee) considers them case by case; it names no separate request form.
FillingPDF lets you view and download the official PDF; submission follows the agency's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a new closure permit with dates between November 26, 2026 and January 3, 2027 in downtown or Cherry Creek North; the memo says such permits will not be issued.
- Forgetting the access streets: applications to close streets that provide access to the retail areas are also not issued, and the attached maps show which streets.
- Assuming the freeze cancels permits already issued; the memo says permits issued before the freeze starts remain valid through it.
- Asking to close additional areas under an existing permit without new dates; those applications must be resubmitted with dates that begin after January 3.
- Treating an exception as automatic; the City Traffic Engineer (or designee) decides exceptions case by case based on the impact on critical retail areas.
- Assuming the freeze covers all of Denver; it names only the Central Business District and the Cherry Creek North Business District.
- Submitting a meter bagging request less than 1 week before the event, when DOTI says processing can take up to 72 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Denver permit freeze in 2026?
Yes. In its 2026 Permitting Freeze memo, DOTI says it will not issue new right-of-way closure permits for utility or development construction in the Central Business District and Cherry Creek North from November 26, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
What does the 2026 Permitting Freeze stop DOTI from issuing?
New permits for parking meter bagging and for street, alley, sidewalk and parking lane closures in the covered areas, plus permits to close streets that provide access to them. The attached maps show those streets.
Which areas of Denver does the permit freeze cover?
The Central Business District (downtown) and the Cherry Creek North Business District, together with the access streets marked on the memo's attached maps. The memo names no other area.
Are permits I already have still valid during the freeze?
Yes. Permits issued before the freeze begins continue to be valid through it. New applications to close additional areas must be resubmitted with dates that begin after January 3.
Can I get an exception to the Denver permit freeze?
Possibly. The City Traffic Engineer (or designee) considers exceptions case by case, depending on the work's potential impact on critical retail areas. Emergency utility repairs and holiday events remain a high priority and are reviewed and issued as needed.
Why is DOTI freezing permits from November 26 to January 3?
The memo says the freeze is meant to promote access to retail and dining establishments during the holiday season and to provide the best experience possible for patrons.
Do I fill out the 2026 Permitting Freeze memo?
No. It is a notice with nothing to complete or file. FillingPDF lets you view and download the official PDF but does not file permits; you apply through DOTI's E-Permits and meter bagging channels.
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