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It depends on who owns or manages the location. Filming on City of Boulder property, including streets, sidewalks, the Pearl Street Mall and city parks, needs a City film permit. Most filming on the City’s Open Space and Mountain Parks land also needs an OSMP Commercial Use Permit. A City permit is not required on private property. Filming that uses a road in unincorporated Boulder County needs a county permit. Boulder County Parks & Open Space does not issue permits for commercial filming. Other towns, Eldorado Canyon State Park, national forest land and the CU Boulder campus each have their own rules.

Start with Do I Need a Permit?, find every permit link on our Resources page, or tell us where you’re shooting and we’ll point you to the right office.

Lead times vary by who manages the location, so plan ahead:

• City of Boulder film permit: at least 14 days before the shoot.
• City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Commercial Use Permit: OSMP needs at least 14 days to review an application.
• Boulder County, for filming on county roads: at least seven days before the filming date.
• CU Boulder campus: 10 days before filming.
• Longmont, when filming blocks streets or public access: 30 days before filming.
• Eldorado Canyon State Park: 90 days, or an expedite fee may be charged or the permit denied.

Build in time to notify neighbors, too: our Resident Notification Requirements ask productions to notify adjacent properties at least five days before filming.

It depends on where you’ll fly, and every flight must follow FAA, city and county rules; drone flying for work or business falls under the FAA’s Part 107 rules (opens in new tab). Drones may not launch, land or operate on City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks land, and Boulder County does not allow drones on its Parks & Open Space or consider drone permits for commercial filming there. Drones are also prohibited in Eldorado Canyon State Park and in Longmont parks and open spaces. If you’ll fly within five miles of Boulder Municipal Airport, we recommend contacting the airport first at (303) 441-3108 or bma@bouldercolorado.gov. Our Drone Rules guide has the details.

Yes. The Colorado Film Incentive, run by the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, is a refundable tax credit of up to 20% of qualified Colorado expenses, or 22% when at least half of production takes place in an Enterprise Zone. Productions must spend at least $100,000 in qualified local expenses, hire at least 50% local cast and crew, and apply and be approved by the state before principal photography begins. Get the full requirements on the Colorado Film Incentive page (opens in new tab).

Yes, that’s what we’re here for. Search the Creative Directory for local crew, vendors and creative businesses, and browse Locations for places to shoot. When you’re ready, tell us about your project and choose “Filming in Boulder County,” and we’ll help with permits, crew, locations, equipment and local connections.

The Boulder Creative Directory is our annual guide to Boulder’s creative talent and support services, published as a full-color print edition and online. Listings are organized by service category, and the print edition also includes editorial profiles and articles about working in the local creative industry. Search the listings in our Creative Directory, where you can also open the print edition.

Printed copies are mailed to Boulder Chamber and Film Commission members and are available at Film Commission Schmoozers and other industry events.

Send us a message through the contact form and choose “Join the Creative Directory,” or choose “Update a Creative Directory listing” to change an existing one. Film Commission members get a free listing and discounted display ads in the Boulder Creative Directory. For questions about print listings or ad purchases, email creative@boulderchamber.com.

Join through the Boulder Chamber’s membership application (opens in new tab), where you choose your level: Freelance ($175), Creative ($250), Affiliate Solopreneur ($300) or Affiliate ($500), each billed annually. See Membership for who each level is for and the perks that come with it. Members also get discounts on Boulder Chamber events and programs. Not ready to join? Sign up for Film Commission updates (opens in new tab) to get quarterly newsletters and Schmoozer invitations.

We’d love to hear from you. Sponsorship inquiries go to Scott Firle at the Boulder Chamber: scott.firle@boulderchamber.com. You can learn more about sponsorship on our Sponsors page. Want to host an event with us? Send us a message.

Start with our Sundance Film Festival FAQ, which lists who to contact about volunteering, sponsorship, City permits, lodging and business space during the Festival. Businesses looking to rent or offer space, or to offer their services, can also use the Boulder Chamber’s Sundance Film Festival Partner Hub (opens in new tab).