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Permits & Reservations
NOTICE: Group size on trails is currently limited to 14 hikers/runners and 8 riders/equestrians or less, separated by at least ¼ mile. Larger groups will not be permitted.
Any activity in a Jeffco Open Space park that conflicts with the Park Regulations requires a permit. Such activities include hosting an event, organized activity, or commercial activity. See below to determine the category into which the activity will fall. View the Jeffco Open Space System Map to ensure accurate park location for the activity. Due to a high volume of applications and staffing capabilities, please allow up to 10 business days for processing and response.
Before submitting an application, please review the Recreation and Activity Management Guide (PDF) for additional guidance and information relating to cost recovery fees.
Commercial Activity
A Park Permit may be obtained from Jeffco Open Space to authorize companies or individuals to conduct business within Jeffco Open Space managed lands. A Park Permit provides a group with a non-exclusive license to offer services to park visitors.
An organization is considered a business if it provides goods, services, or activities to the public using Jeffco Open Space managed lands. If an individual receives any form of compensation for what they are providing they are considered to be conducting a business or commercial activity.
Permitted activities must be appropriate to the mission of Jeffco Open Space; complement resource protection, visitor protection and interpretation goals; and not pose any potential for derogation of values or purposes for which Jeffco Open Space was established.
Currently, the following commercial activities may be permitted by Jeffco Open Space:
- Guided Rock/Ice Climbing
- Guided River trips including; Rafting, Kayaking, SUP, etc.
- Guided Mountain Biking
- Commercial Tours
- Guided Hiking
- Product Demos
- Commercial Dog Walking Services
- Commercial Dog Training Services
- Commercial Filming and Photography
- Commercial Officiant (i.e. weddings)
All commercial vendors are required to fill out the reporting form below with year-end totals. Within the form, you will notice two tabs at the bottom left. One is for all use, and the other is for rock and ice climbing specific information. You may either attach the completed form with your upcoming years application, or email to [email protected] if you won't be reapplying until later in the year. All year-end reports are due no later than January 10th of the following year.
Year-End Reporting Form (Excel)
Applications:
Commercial Guiding Permit Application (Web)
Portrait Photography Permit Application (Web)
Commercial Filming Application (Web)
Commercial Officiant Permit (Web)
Product Demo Permit Application (Web)
Other Commercial Activity (Web)
School Groups
All school groups regardless of group size or activity must have a valid Park Permit, including all athletic teams, clubs, field trips, or other organized activities. No more than 60 total people will be permitted and issuance of a permit is based on time, location, and capacity limits of each park.
A valid certificate of insurance which lists Jefferson County Open Space as a certificate holder is required for all school groups.
Due to the rapid increase in park visitation and requests for group activities, applicants requesting annual permits are now required to submit a schedule of events, which should indicate requested parks, dates, times, and maximum number of participants.
Research and Collections
A Park Permit is required to conduct research activities or to collect any biological resource elements from Jeffco Open Space managed land.
Criteria for a Research and Collections Permit:
- Collection of plants, wildlife, invertebrates, soil, water, or other biological resource elements
- Entering a closed area
- Conducting research, in the form of ecological studies, visitor surveys, or similar activities
- Research that conflicts with any Park Regulation
General Use
Criteria for a General Use Permit:
- Any activity or gathering which provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large
- Groups conducting the same event more than once in a 3-month period if the activity has the potential to impact resources or other visitors’ experience, as determined by Jeffco Open Space
- Groups requesting the use of a site not designed for concentrated group use
- Any activity which may conflict with Park Regulations or the mission of Jeffco Open Space
Camping
Sourdough Springs Campground at White Ranch Park is closed for the winter season November 1 through March 31.
Jeffco Open Space offers semi-primitive, tent-only camping by permit at White Ranch Park (northwest of Golden) and Reynolds Park (southeast of Conifer). Camping in these two parks is semi-primitive—no vehicles, trailers or RVs. We are currently allowing six people and two tents per site. No refunds will be given due to inclement weather conditions.
Camping is by advance permit only, permits must be obtained online at least 24 hours in advance. Permits CANNOT be obtained at the park, Jeffco Open Space Headquarters, or by phone.
Shelter Reservations
Shelter Reservations are available at Hiwan Heritage Park and Pine Valley Ranch Park. Reserving a shelter guarantees exclusive use for an event.
Rentals are offered in five-hour blocks between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. April through September, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. October through March.
Damage Deposits are paid in full at the time of rental permit application. Permit fees are payable if the reservation request is approved. Permit fees are non-refundable. No refunds will be given for inclement weather conditions. Damage deposits are refundable in whole or part contingent upon the condition of the shelter after the event. Loading and unloading of vehicles must be done from designated parking areas. Driving beyond the designated parking areas is strictly prohibited.
Reserve a Shelter at Hiwan Heritage Grove (Web)
Reserve a Shelter at Pine Valley Ranch Park (Web)
Special Activity
Applications for Special Activities are accepted and reviewed once per year and the application for 2023 events is now closed. Applications for 2024 will be accepted beginning on August 1st, 2023 and the application will close on October 8th, 2023 at 11:59pm.
Events such as tours, races, rides, walks, festivals, fun runs, etc. require a special activity permit and fall into one of two categories:
Category 1 - Events that exceed 200 people and/or require exclusive use of JCOS managed trails or park. A maximum of five total Category 1 special events may be permitted per calendar year and are limited to a maximum of one event per visitor group: e.g., hiking/running, equestrian, mountain biking, the arts, etc. Category 1 events must be administered by a public or non-profit organization to benefit a charitable cause and the organization must be the applicant for the permit.
Category 2 - Events that are 200 or fewer people in total (including staff) and do not require exclusive use of a park, trail or other area.
Category 1 and 2 events are limited to a single park and maximum of 8 hours, including setup and breakdown.
All events will be considered on a case-by-case basis and those that align with or support the mission of JCOS will be given preference. Further, in recent years JCOS parks have seen a significant increase in visitation. This volume of visitation places a challenge on trails, facilities, parking areas, and the experience of other visitors. Applications that take this into consideration and demonstrate measures to minimize impacts on trails, park facilities, parking areas, and park visitors will be given preference. All events should plan to stage all non-trail related activities, including parking, off-site and explain this plan in their application. Additionally, special activities scheduled during peak park use hours (generally weekends and holidays from 9:00 – 3:00) will experience parking and trail congestion which will impact participant experience. JCOS recommends avoiding peak hours.
Fees
All approved applications are subject to a $25 non-refundable application fee and a cost recovery fee of $5.00 per participant plus 150% of direct cost to JCOS, as applicable, due within 10 business days of the events conclusion. Exceptions and reductions may be made on a case-by-case basis for governmental and 501(C)(3) non-profit organizations that directly benefit the people of Jefferson County. Justification for an exception or reduction should be reflected in your application. Additionally, all events require a damage deposit which is due no later than thirty days prior to the event. Damage deposits are typically $200.00 and refundable, but may be higher depending on scope of event.
Permit Documentation may include, but is not limited to:
- Certificate of Insurance
- Certificate Holder must be Jefferson County, Colorado
- Required $1M Per Occurrence, $2M General Aggregate
- The policy must not exclude or reduce coverage for mobile equipment, personal injury; blanket contractual; and death. Personal injury coverage must have the employee exclusion deleted. The policy shall contain a Waiver of Subrogation on behalf of Jefferson County.
- Post Use or Predicted Use Report
- Release of Liability
- Site Plan
- Parking Management Plan
- Course Map
- Emergency Management Plan
2024 Restricted Dates:
Restricted Dates - the dates listed below will not be considered for special activity permits and applications requesting these dates will be denied. Unless a specific park is mentioned, the restrictions apply to the entire JCOS system:
| Date | Occasion |
| January 1 | New Years Weekend |
| January 15 | Martin Luther King Day |
| February 17, 18, 19 | Presidents Day Weekend |
| March 29, 30, 31 | Easter Weekend |
| May 1 through November 1 at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park West Trailhead | Trailhead construction |
| May 1 through November 1 at Elk Meadow Park, Stagecoach Trailhead | Trailhead construction |
| May 11 and 12 | Mother's Day Weekend |
| May 25, 26, 27 | Memorial Day Weekend |
| June 1 | National Trails Day and Colorado Parks and Wildlife free fishing weekend |
| June 1 and 2 at Crown Hill Park, Clear Creek Canyon Park, Lair O’ the Bear Park, and Pine Valley Ranch Park | Colorado Parks and Wildlife free fishing weekend |
| June 15 and 16 | Father's Day Weekend |
| June 19 | Juneteenth (Any requests related to Juneteenth and the historical significance of this date will be considered) |
| June 22 and 23 | White Ranch Park - Camp Jr. Rangers |
| July 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | Independence Day Weekend |
| August 31 | Labor Day Weekend |
| September 1 and 2 | Labor Day Weekend |
| September 28 | National Public Lands Day |
| November 28, 29, 30 | Thanksgiving Day Weekend |
| December 1 | Thanksgiving Day Weekend |
| December 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 | Christmas Weekend |
| December 31 | New Years Eve |
Please direct questions specific to Special Activity applications to the JCOS Park Permits Team at [email protected]
The application for 2023 events is now closed. The application for 2024 is now open.
Centennial Cone Hunt Access Permit Application
PLEASE NOTE 2023 CHANGES BELOW
Hunting is permitted during a seasonal closure at Centennial Cone Park for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) licensed hunters:
- DE038L2R (Deer: either sex)
- DF038L2R (Deer: antlerless, doe)
- EF038L2R (Elk: antlerless, cow)
The late season hunting access occurs December 1 through January 31 of each year. Permit applicants must hold a valid late season antlerless elk, female, or either sex deer license issued by CPW for the Jeffco Open Space (JCOS) portion of Game Management Unit 38. The Park is CLOSED to all other use during this season. Private Land Only licenses are NOT valid at Centennial Cone Park. Please refer to the links below for the most up-to-date information provided by CPW and JCOS:
State Hunting License Application (Web)
CPW Big Game Hunting Information (Web)
CPW Preference Points Information (Web)
Centennial Cone Hunting Rest Day Calendar (PDF)
Centennial Cone Hunting Safety Zone Map (PDF)
Hunters will be notified of their eligibility by CPW. CPW will notify JCOS of eligible hunters. Access permits and required documents will be mailed out to eligible hunters in early November. JCOS access permits are limited to the number of verified CPW license holders each season.
Prior to December 1, access permit holders are required to complete JCOS hunting orientation, which will be provided in early November. Hunter orientation is accessible through a video link provided to eligible hunters, and can be viewed remotely. Viewing of this video is mandatory every season for hunters, as information and regulations are subject to change.
Why Allow Hunting?
Elk populations are not being held in check by natural predators, which include black bears and mountain lions. Unchecked, populations could double in four to five years. Over-browsing by elk decreases plant density and diversity that provide food and cover for other wildlife (small mammals and birds). Other management tools (trapping, fertility inhibitors) are not feasible, not acceptable by the public or have limited effect.
Questions?
Please contact [email protected] or 303.271.5925.