The 2026 Athletic Priority Park Permit Information sheet is a City and County of Denver reference for anyone who wants a Public Event or Special Occasion permit in a park that has high athletic use. It lists the parks that accept each permit type, the parks that do not, who may apply for a Public Event, and the application opportunities and deadlines for each season of 2026. It is one of the Denver park permit resources, so use it before you prepare a permit application. On FillingPDF you can open the PDF online and download or print it; the Parks Permit Office handles the permit applications themselves.
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What is Athletic Priority Park Information – Denver, CO?
The 2026 Athletic Priority Park Permit Information sheet is a two-page City and County of Denver document explaining how Public Event and Special Occasion permits work in parks designated as Athletic Priority Parks because of their high athletic use.
Page 1 covers Public Event permits. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a Denver Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO), or a neighborhood group formally recognized or approved by City Council, and all requests are reviewed case by case. The sheet gives a first and second opportunity to apply for each season (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter), states that Historical Priority Status can be earned, and sets the park permit application deadline at least 60 days before the permit date.
Page 2 covers Special Occasion permits. It gives one first opportunity per season, states that Historical Priority Status cannot be earned, and sets the deadline at least 30 days before the permit date. On the Denver Special Occasion permit page, Special Occasions are described as private, invitation-only events in parks.
Each page lists the Athletic Priority Parks available for that permit type, from 46th and Pecos Park to West-Bar-Val-Wood Park. Both pages also list parks that are unavailable for Public Event and Special Occasion permits, including Barnum East Park, Bear Creek Park, Congress Park, Cranmer Park, Lowry Sports Complex and Vanderbilt Park.
The sheet is reference information, not an application. The permit application itself is a separate document handled by the Parks Permit Office. The sheet is dated 10/10/25.
Who needs to file Athletic Priority Park Information – Denver, CO?
The sheet is for anyone planning a Public Event or a Special Occasion in one of the listed Denver parks and checking whether the park is open to that permit type and when to apply.
- Public Event applicants. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a Denver Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO), or a neighborhood group formally recognized or approved by City Council. Requests are reviewed case by case.
- Special Occasion applicants. The sheet sets no organizational requirement for Special Occasion permits. It gives the timeline and the 30-day deadline.
The Denver Special Occasion permit page adds rules for people who apply: the applicant must be 18 or older, and another person may submit the application, but the individual applicant's name and signature must be included. The applicant must also designate an Authorized Agent (18+) who is an employee or board member, or who has written authorization on letterhead. Nonprofits must include 501(c)(3) verification.
The sheet excludes the parks named on its unavailable list: Public Event and Special Occasion permits are not available there.
When to file Athletic Priority Park Information – Denver, CO
Apply during the opportunity window the sheet gives for your season, and no later than the deadline: at least 60 days before the permit date for Public Events, and at least 30 days before the permit date for Special Occasions.
Public Events. Spring (March 14 – May 24, 2026) and Summer (May 25 – August 2, 2026) permits have a first opportunity of November 1 – Dec 31, 2025 and a second opportunity on February 11, 2026. Fall (August 3 – November 1, 2026) has the same first opportunity and a second opportunity on July 15, 2026. Winter (November 2 – Dec. 31, 2026) opens November 1, 2025, with no second opportunity (n/a).
Special Occasions. Spring and Summer open February 11, 2026. Fall opens July 15, 2026. Winter (November 2 – December 31, 2026) opens November 1, 2025.
The Denver Special Occasion page says to allow one business day for the Parks Permit Office to confirm receipt, and seven business days to receive a preliminary permit by email.
Documents you need
- 501(c)(3) verification, either an IRS Determination Letter or Colorado Secretary of State registration, included with the application when the applicant is a nonprofit.
- A signed authorization letter on letterhead, signed by an employee or board member, when a new Authorized Agent is designated on the application.
How to fill out Athletic Priority Park Information – Denver, CO
Choose Public Event or Special Occasion
Decide which permit type your activity needs. Page 1 of the sheet covers Public Events; page 2 covers Special Occasions.
Confirm your park is available
Find the park in the Available for Public Events or Available for Special Occasions list. If it appears under Parks UNAVAILABLE, choose another park.
Check who may apply
For a Public Event, the applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a Denver RNO or a neighborhood group recognized or approved by City Council.
Match your date to a season
Find your permit date under Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, then read the matching first (and, for Public Events, second) opportunity to apply.
Count back to the deadline
Subtract at least 60 days (Public Event) or at least 30 days (Special Occasion) from your permit date. That is your application deadline.
Prepare the permit application
List parks and dates in order of preference if you are flexible, and include the signature, the Authorized Agent and any 501(c)(3) verification the Denver page requires.
Review and download the PDF
Open the sheet on FillingPDF, check the dates and park lists, then download or print it. Send the application through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Athletic Priority Park Information – Denver, CO
The information sheet itself is not filed. Park permit applications go to the Denver Parks Permit Office, which the Denver Special Occasion permit page says accepts them in two ways:
- By email: [email protected]. One application per email is accepted.
- In person: Parks Permit Office, 6820 E. 12th Ave, Denver, CO 80220. In-person appointments are available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Monday and Friday the office is available by phone and email.
Questions go to the Parks Permit Office at 720-913-0700 or [email protected].
Make sure the application carries the proper signature. You may list several parks and dates in order of preference; availability is checked in that order and the first available option is offered. Within seven business days the office emails a preliminary permit, which serves as an invoice and lists the permit requirements. A fee applies through that invoice; ask the Parks Permit Office for amounts. FillingPDF lets you open and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a Public Event permit less than 60 days before the permit date; the sheet sets that deadline.
- Applying for a Special Occasion permit less than 30 days before the permit date.
- Requesting a park on the unavailable list, such as Congress Park or Cranmer Park, which accepts neither Public Event nor Special Occasion permits.
- Applying for a Public Event permit as a group that is not a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a Denver RNO or a neighborhood group recognized or approved by City Council.
- Expecting to earn Historical Priority Status through Special Occasion permits; the sheet says it cannot be earned there.
- Sending more than one application in the same email; Denver accepts one application per email.
- Leaving out the 501(c)(3) verification when the applicant is a nonprofit.
- Submitting an application without the individual applicant's name and signature, even when another person sends it.
- Submitting a new application for the same recurring activity within 30 days of the last one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Athletic Priority Park Information sheet?
It is a City and County of Denver sheet for 2026 that explains how Public Event and Special Occasion permits work in parks with high athletic use. It lists the available and unavailable parks, who may apply for Public Events, the application opportunities for each season and the deadlines.
Who can apply for a Public Event permit in an Athletic Priority Park?
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a Denver Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO), or a neighborhood group formally recognized or approved by City Council. The sheet says all requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
How far ahead do I need to apply for a park permit?
At least 60 days before the permit date for a Public Event, and at least 30 days before the permit date for a Special Occasion. These deadlines are printed on pages 1 and 2 of the sheet.
When can I apply for a summer Public Event permit in 2026?
For Summer (May 25 – August 2, 2026), the first opportunity runs November 1 – Dec 31, 2025 and the second opportunity is February 11, 2026. Your application still has to meet the 60-day deadline.
Can I get Historical Priority Status for a Special Occasion?
No. The sheet says Historical Priority Status cannot be earned for Special Occasion permits. For Public Event permits in Athletic Priority Parks, the sheet says it can be earned.
Which Denver parks do not accept these permits?
The sheet lists parks unavailable for Public Event and Special Occasion permits, including Barnum East Park, Bear Creek Park, Congress Park, Cranmer Park, Lowry Sports Complex, Montbello Central Park and Vanderbilt Park. The full list is printed on each page.
Where do I send a Denver park permit application?
Email it to [email protected] (one application per email) or bring it to the Parks Permit Office, 6820 E. 12th Ave, Denver, CO 80220, during in-person appointment days (Tuesday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Call 720-913-0700 with questions.
Does FillingPDF submit my park permit application?
No. FillingPDF is an independent service not affiliated with the City and County of Denver. It lets you open and download this PDF online, but the Parks Permit Office receives applications only through its own email and in-person channels.
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