Everything You Need to Film in Boulder County
City streets, open space, a state park, and the CU Boulder campus each have their own permit rules. Find them here, with drone rules, the Colorado Film Incentive, and maps.
Production Guidance
September 29, 2026
Current fire restrictions for Boulder County, which the Sheriff, the Board of County Commissioners or the State of Colorado can put in place when conditions raise the risk of wildfire. Open burning is not allowed anywhere in unincorporated Boulder County during a Red Flag Warning, High Wind Warning or Watch, or Fire Weather Watch.
Production Guidance
August 31, 2026
The City of Boulder’s drone rules, which apply on top of FAA rules: no drone may launch, land or operate on City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks land. The page also covers the City’s aviation insurance requirement and how to notify Boulder Municipal Airport (bma@bouldercolorado.gov) before flying within 5 miles of it.
Production Guidance
September 29, 2026
There is no open burning in Boulder city limits at any time, and fireworks are prohibited except under a permit for a supervised public display under the city fire code. Boulder Fire-Rescue can be reached at 303-441-3350.
Production Guidance
September 29, 2026
Boulder’s noise limits, which apply to amplified sound on permitted shoots: sound received in residential zones may not exceed 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. or 50 dBA from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The city manager can grant a variance for a temporary activity that cannot comply even with the best available noise controls.
Production Guidance
August 31, 2026
Colorado’s refundable film tax credit of up to 20% of qualified Colorado spend, or 22% when half of production takes place in an Enterprise Zone, for projects that spend at least $100,000 locally and hire at least half their cast and crew locally. It is run by the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, and productions must apply and be approved before principal photography begins.
Production Guidance
September 29, 2026
CU Boulder’s policy for any drone flown on or over university property, including by outside operators. Approval for an on-campus flight is requested from CU’s Division of Public Safety at dps_aso@colorado.edu.
Production Guidance
September 29, 2026
Do I Need a Permit?
Film permits are generally required for film, video and photo shoots on public land, and trails and open space can require additional permits and fees.
Do I Need A Film Permit?
- A permit is required when filming on City of Boulder property.
- A City permit is NOT required when filming on private property.
- Drone filming requirements and prohibited areas can be found at: City of Boulder Drone Use (opens in new tab)
Open space has its own rules. Most film shoots on City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks land also need an OSMP Commercial Use Permit. Still photography there does not need a film permit, but commercial photographers still need a Commercial Use Permit. Filming movies and commercials is not allowed on Boulder County Parks & Open Space land, though individuals taking still photos are exempt. For state park, national forest and CU Boulder land, see Filming on Public Land and Open Space, and for other towns, see Filming in Other Boulder County Towns.
- City of Boulder Film Permit Application (opens in new tab)
- City of Boulder Open Space Commercial Use Permit (opens in new tab)
- City of Boulder Film Permit Online Application (opens in new tab)
- Boulder County Special Event Permit for Filming (opens in new tab)
Still have questions? Complete This Form (opens in new tab)
When a film permit is needed in Boulder and Boulder County, with links to apply. Filming on City of Boulder property needs a City permit; filming on private property does not.
Production Guidance
September 29, 2026
Drone Rules
Will you be using an unmanned aircraft system (UAS/drone)? First, we recommend that you contact the airport if you plan to fly the drone within 5 miles of the Boulder Municipal Airport.
In addition to following all FAA rules, people flying drones commercially must also obey the following city regulation:
- You may not launch, land or otherwise operate any unmanned motorized vehicle from or on any City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks land.
The City allows drone flights on Open Space and Mountain Parks land only for public land and wildlife management, including research, search and rescue and public safety purposes. Other purposes are not allowed.
Drones in Boulder County Parks and Open Space
Boulder County does not allow visitors to fly drones on its Parks and Open Space, and it will not consider drone permits for filming or photographing commercial activities. Before operating a drone on any school or university grounds, please check with the school to make sure you’re operating safely and legally.
Who to contact before flying a drone near Boulder Municipal Airport, and where drones are not allowed, including all City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks land and Boulder County open space.
Production Guidance
September 29, 2026
Film Incentives
The Colorado Film Incentive encourages film production in Colorado with a refundable tax credit of up to 20% of qualified expenses, or 22% if at least half of production takes place in an Enterprise Zone. The incentive creates jobs for Coloradans and has historically provided an average 18-to-1 return on investment for the economy. The projects also promote Colorado as a tourism destination.
The incentive supports:
- Feature films
- Television pilots
- Television series
- Streaming series
- Music videos
- Industrials
- Documentaries
- Video game design and creation
To qualify, a production must spend at least $100,000 in qualified Colorado expenses and hire at least 50% local cast and crew. Before principal photography begins, it must submit a pre-application with proof of at least 80% financing, submit the full application, be approved by the Colorado Economic Development Commission and be under contract with the State of Colorado. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, funding is limited, and projects are selected on their merits.
How the Colorado Film Incentive works: a refundable state tax credit of up to 20% of qualified Colorado expenses, or 22% in an Enterprise Zone, and the types of production it supports.
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