The Procedures for Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activity (POFA) Permits set the rules the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) applies when it permits classes, camps, guided activities and similar programs in Denver parks. It is one of the Denver permit documents for park use, and it covers participant limits, hours, seasons, fees and enforcement. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF and the reservation process are published by the City and County of Denver.
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What is Procedures for Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activity (POFA) Permits – Denver, CO?
The Procedures for Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activity (POFA) Permits is the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) document that sets the rules for permits allowing classes, camps, guided activities and programs to operate in Denver parks for a fee, other consideration or at no cost.
A POFA permit covers 1 to 25 participants per class or activity and applies to all parks. It is non-exclusive: it gives permission to be in the park, not guaranteed use of a specific space, and it does not allow the use of structures, amenities or equipment such as playground equipment, benches, flower beds or pavilions. Permits are divided into two types:
- Turf (grass): park specific; the activity can take place in any turf area open to the public that is not already occupied or permitted to others.
- Road/Trail: park specific; the activity can take place on and within 10 feet of an improved trail or road open to the public, using no more than 50% of the trail, path or park road unless the permit says otherwise.
Permits are issued for 6-month seasons, April to September and October to March, and are not renewable. Parks fall into two fee categories: Tier 1 (City Park, Sloan's Lake Park, Washington Park) and Tier 2 (all other parks, including Mountain Parks). The procedures also describe how violations are enforced. The printed revision is dated 8.7.25.
DPR also publishes the POFA Policy in English and Spanish, and a Multi-Park POFA Pilot Program for tours or guided activities in two or more parks. This page covers the procedures document, not those items.
Who needs to file Procedures for Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activity (POFA) Permits – Denver, CO?
Individuals and organizations that want to offer a class, camp, guided activity, program or related service in a Denver park use a POFA permit, whether they charge a fee, accept other consideration or offer it at no cost. The procedures apply to every park.
Conditions that matter before you apply:
- Group size: one permit covers 1 to 25 participants per class or activity.
- One activity at a time: two or more simultaneous activities require an additional permit for each, if available.
- Nonprofits: the fee schedule on the DPR page differs for nonprofit and for-profit applicants. For a nonprofit program that is free or donation-based, only the application fee applies.
- Tours in several parks: an activity occurring in two or more parks falls under the Multi-Park POFA Pilot Program; contact the Parks Permit Office.
A POFA permit is not for people who need guaranteed or exclusive use of a particular park space or its amenities, because it provides neither. Permittees must also accept the park-specific restrictions that may be written on the permit.
When to file Procedures for Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activity (POFA) Permits – Denver, CO
Request a POFA permit for the season in which you plan to hold your activity. Permits run for 6-month seasons: April to September (Spring/Summer) and October to March (Fall/Winter). Requests are first come, first served, following the seasonal timeline posted on the DPR website.
For Fall/Winter 2026-27, DPR's page says requests are accepted online beginning August 24 at 8:00 a.m., and approved permits are available in your ActiveNet account on September 4. Requests made after September 4 are reviewed within 48 business hours. Spring/Summer 2026 requests are also reviewed within 48 business hours; the procedures state 48 hours, and the office contacts you if there is a problem.
Permits are not renewable and a permittee has no priority for a park in later seasons, so submit a new request each season.
How to fill out Procedures for Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activity (POFA) Permits – Denver, CO
Choose your permit season
Decide whether you need Spring/Summer (April to September) or Fall/Winter (October to March). Permits are issued only for these 6-month seasons.
Select Turf or Road/Trail
Pick the permit type that fits your activity. Turf covers open grass areas; Road/Trail covers an improved trail or road and 10 feet either side.
Choose the park and fee tier
Permits are park specific. City Park, Sloan's Lake Park and Washington Park are Tier 1; all other parks, including Mountain Parks, are Tier 2.
Set your participant number
Plan for 1 to 25 participants per class or activity. Request an additional permit for each simultaneous activity, if available.
Check hours and park restrictions
Activities run between 5:00am and 9:00pm (Mountain Parks 9:00am to 8:00pm) unless the permit says otherwise. Plan without structures or equipment, and check the park-specific conditions.
Log in and submit your request
Sign in to DPR's Online Service Center or create an account, then submit the reservation request following the posted seasonal timeline.
Pay in full online
Make payment in full at the time of the request. The fee is not prorated and not refundable once paid.
Watch for approval or questions
DPR reviews requests within 48 hours (48 business hours on its page) and contacts you if there is an issue. Approved permits appear in your ActiveNet account.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that your entries match your request, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Keep the permit's visible identification available during every activity.
How to submit Procedures for Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activity (POFA) Permits – Denver, CO
You can request a POFA permit online through DPR's Online Service Center or in person at the Parks Permit Office.
- Online: log in to or create an account in DPR's Online Service Center and submit a reservation request. DPR publishes a PDF, How to make a POFA Reservation Request, and the process is described at the DPR POFA page.
- 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. to 4:00 p.m.
- Phone or email: Monday and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., by phone at 720-913-0700 or email at [email protected].
Fees apply: payment in full is made online at the time of the request, and an application fee applies per location. Check the DPR page or call the office for current amounts. Permits are non-refundable once paid, and fees are not prorated for periods shorter than 6 months. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting a POFA permit to reserve a specific part of a park; it is non-exclusive and gives only permission to be in the park.
- Using playground equipment, benches, flower beds, pavilions or other structures and amenities during the activity, which the procedures do not allow.
- Bringing more than 25 participants to one class or activity, or running two activities at the same time under one permit.
- Holding the activity outside 5:00am to 9:00pm, or outside 9:00am to 8:00pm in Mountain Parks, unless the permit states otherwise.
- Using more than 50% of a trail, path or park road for a Road/Trail permit, or working beyond 10 feet of the improved trail or road, unless the permit expressly authorizes it.
- Not displaying the visible identification provided by the Parks Permit Office, or required of the permittee, during the activity.
- Expecting a refund, proration for a shorter period or renewal; permits are non-refundable, carry a full 6-month fee and are not renewable.
- Assuming a permit at a park gives priority for that park in later seasons; it does not.
Frequently asked questions
What is a POFA permit in Denver?
A POFA (Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activity) permit lets you run a class, camp, guided activity or program in a Denver park. It is issued by Denver Parks and Recreation for a 6-month season, covers 1 to 25 participants, and is non-exclusive.
How many people can attend an activity under a POFA permit?
One permit covers 1 to 25 participants per class or activity. To run two or more simultaneous activities you need an additional POFA permit for each one, if available.
How do I request a POFA permit in Denver?
Submit a reservation request in DPR's Online Service Center after logging in or creating an account, or make the request in person at the Parks Permit Office, 6820 E. 12th Ave, Denver, CO 80220. Payment in full is made online with the request.
How long does it take to get a POFA permit approved?
DPR reviews requests within 48 hours according to the procedures, and its page says 48 business hours. The permittee is contacted if there is an issue. For Fall/Winter 2026-27, approved permits are available in ActiveNet on September 4.
Can I get a refund or renew my POFA permit?
No. POFA permits are non-refundable once payment is made, fees are not prorated for less than 6 months, and permits are not renewable. A permittee has no priority for a park in future seasons, so you submit a new request each season.
Does a POFA permit reserve a spot in the park?
No. A POFA permit is non-exclusive: it gives permission to be in the park, not guaranteed use of a specific space. Turf permits allow any open turf area not occupied or permitted to others, and playground equipment, benches and pavilions cannot be used.
What happens if I violate POFA rules?
First contact is generally informational, though a citation may be issued if the violation warrants it. Later violations follow the Administrative Citation process. After three citations, all your permits for that season are revoked; revocation in two consecutive seasons means permanent removal from the program.
Is a POFA permit a Denver building permit?
No. It is a Denver Parks and Recreation permit for private outdoor activities in city parks, handled through the Parks Permit Office. It is not issued for construction or buildings.
Can I fill out the POFA procedures PDF online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit requests or issue permits; you request the permit through the Denver channels.
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