# Vendor event permits in Colorado Springs, CO

For a vendor market in Colorado Springs, organizers usually need a permit from the city's Office of Special Events for park or public-property events, and must give the City Sales Tax Office a vendor list. Food vendors need El Paso County Public Health special event permits, and vendors need state and city sales tax licenses. Confirm with each office.

_Sources checked 2026-10-10. Not legal or tax advice; confirm with each agency._

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Citywide Special Event, Park Special Event or Block Party permit
The Office of Special Events lists separate Citywide Special Event, Park Special Event and Block Party permits, plus a Permit Partner tool that estimates the permits, inspections and licenses an event will need. The page does not explain which permit fits which event, so call the office.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Colorado Springs Office of Special Events
- When: Events in city parks, on public property or on closed streets. The city page does not say whether a market on private property needs a permit.
- Official page: https://coloradosprings.gov/specialevents

## For the organizer: Parks and public space

### Park rules for special events and temporary vending permit
Park events must follow the city's special event park rules: tents and canopies need prior approval with a site plan, charcoal grills are not allowed, generators and gas grills go on hard surfaces, and the organizer supplies toilets and trash service. A temporary vending permit from Parks is required if you or any attendee will vend food or products, and amplified sound needs a Noise Hardship permit from the Police Department.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
- When: Events held in a city park.
- Official page: https://coloradosprings.gov/system/files/2023-12/2024_prcs_rules_regulations.pdf

## For the organizer: Fire safety, tents and cooking

### Tent, canopy and membrane structure permit
A revocable permit from the Fire Marshal is needed before a tent, canopy or membrane structure over 2,400 square feet goes up. The page links to the application, worksheet and daily checklist.
- Who: organizer
- From: Colorado Springs Fire Department, Division of the Fire Marshal
- When: Any single tent, canopy or membrane structure over 2,400 square feet, or attached structures totaling more than 2,400 square feet.
- Official page: https://coloradosprings.gov/fire-department/page/tents-canopies-and-membrane-structures

### Cooking and LPG use at special events
The Fire Marshal's worksheet sets cooking-booth layout, LPG cylinder, solid fuel and extinguisher rules. A vendor using more than 125 gallons (water capacity) of LPG must get an LPG permit approved at least 1 week before the event. The worksheet is dated January 2019.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Colorado Springs Fire Department, Division of the Fire Marshal
- When: Special events, public or private, with vendors that cook food.
- Timing: LPG permit (over 125 gallons) submitted and approved at least 1 week before the event
- Official page: https://coloradosprings.gov/system/files/2023-12/vendorlpgworksheet0119.pdf

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Temporary vending permit (park events)
The park special event rules say a temporary vending permit from Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services must be obtained if the organizer or any attendee will vend at the event. The rules do not state a fee or whether the organizer or each vendor applies.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
- When: Any vending of food or products at an event held in a city park.
- Official page: https://coloradosprings.gov/system/files/2023-12/2024_prcs_rules_regulations.pdf

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Special Event Sales Tax License (state)
Vendors at one-off events use the state Special Event Sales Tax Application (DR 0589): a single event license for one event, or a multiple event license for any number of events over two years. Mail it in or apply in person at a Taxpayer Service Center, including the Colorado Springs office. Vendors who already hold a standard Colorado sales tax license pay no fee.
- Who: vendors
- From: Colorado Department of Revenue
- When: Sellers with no permanent place of business, or standard-license holders who also sell at fairs and festivals. A standard sales tax license is required for events that occur more than three times a year at the same location.
- Fee: $8 per event for a single event license; $16 for a two-year multiple event license
- Timing: Allow 4 to 6 weeks for mailed applications; in-person visits issue the license during the visit
- Official page: https://Tax.Colorado.Gov/sites/tax/files/documents/DR0589_07-2022.pdf

### City sales tax license for temporary and special events
Colorado Springs collects its own city sales tax. Vendors who already hold a regular city sales tax license report event sales on it; transient vendors get a free single event or multiple event license, applied for online.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: City of Colorado Springs Sales Tax Office
- When: Anyone making taxable sales at a fair, trade show, bazaar or flea market in the city, including food and drink for immediate consumption.
- Fee: No fee for the license
- Official page: https://coloradosprings.gov/system/files/2023-09/special_events_-_trade_shows_-_no._172.1.pdf

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Special Event Permit (temporary retail food)
Food vendors apply to El Paso County Public Health for a limited-menu or full-menu special event permit (single event or multiple events). Fees are set by the Board of Health fee schedule, and the county's vendor FAQ asks for applications at least 10 days ahead.
- Who: vendors
- From: El Paso County Public Health
- When: Food sold from a tent, kiosk or other temporary setup, food outside the Colorado Cottage Food Act, or samples over 3 oz. Each point of sale needs its own permit; permits from other Colorado counties are not honored.
- Fee: Limited menu: $248.00 for 1 event, $340.00 for multiple events. Full menu: $298.00 for 1 event, $425.00 for multiple events
- Timing: Apply at least 10 days before the event
- Official page: https://epc-assets.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/02/BoH-2024-EHS-Fee-Schedule-Chapter-3_Roy-Kroeger.pdf

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

The city's tax guide says the event coordinator must send the City Sales Tax Office a participant list (business and owner names, mailing and email addresses, phone, city sales tax license number) before the event, tell vendors to get licensed and collect city tax, and obtain a license and remit tax for any vendor who stays unlicensed. The city may require a cash bond, and the return is due by the 20th of the month after the event. (https://coloradosprings.gov/system/files/2023-09/special_events_-_trade_shows_-_no._172.1.pdf)

## Where the sources are unclear

- The city's page with Citywide Special Event Permit details (host-special-event) returned access denied when read on 2026-10-10, so lead times, insurance and fees for that permit are not recorded here. No official page found for these as of 2026-10-10; ask the Office of Special Events.
- No official page found stating whether a market on private property needs a city special event permit as of 2026-10-10; ask the Office of Special Events.
- The state DR 0589 form is dated 07/2022, the El Paso County FAQ is dated 2023, and the county fee schedule was approved October 25, 2023 (https://epc-assets.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/02/BoH-2024-EHS-Fee-Schedule-Chapter-3_Roy-Kroeger.pdf); confirm current fees before relying on them.
- No separate general business license for event vendors was found on the pages read; the city sales tax license is the vendor-side license documented.

## Questions

**Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Colorado Springs?**

Citywide Special Event, Park Special Event or Block Party permit (City of Colorado Springs Office of Special Events): The Office of Special Events lists separate Citywide Special Event, Park Special Event and Block Party permits, plus a Permit Partner tool that estimates the permits, inspections and licenses an event will need. The page does not explain which permit fits which event, so call the office. Park rules for special events and temporary vending permit (City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services): Park events must follow the city's special event park rules: tents and canopies need prior approval with a site plan, charcoal grills are not allowed, generators and gas grills go on hard surfaces, and the organizer supplies toilets and trash service. A temporary vending permit from Parks is required if you or any attendee will vend food or products, and amplified sound needs a Noise Hardship permit from the Police Department.

**Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Colorado Springs?**

Temporary vending permit (park events) (City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services): The park special event rules say a temporary vending permit from Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services must be obtained if the organizer or any attendee will vend at the event. The rules do not state a fee or whether the organizer or each vendor applies.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Colorado Springs?**

Special Event Sales Tax License (state) (Colorado Department of Revenue): Vendors at one-off events use the state Special Event Sales Tax Application (DR 0589): a single event license for one event, or a multiple event license for any number of events over two years. Mail it in or apply in person at a Taxpayer Service Center, including the Colorado Springs office. Vendors who already hold a standard Colorado sales tax license pay no fee. City sales tax license for temporary and special events (City of Colorado Springs Sales Tax Office): Colorado Springs collects its own city sales tax. Vendors who already hold a regular city sales tax license report event sales on it; transient vendors get a free single event or multiple event license, applied for online. For organizers: The city's tax guide says the event coordinator must send the City Sales Tax Office a participant list (business and owner names, mailing and email addresses, phone, city sales tax license number) before the event, tell vendors to get licensed and collect city tax, and obtain a license and remit tax for any vendor who stays unlicensed. The city may require a cash bond, and the return is due by the 20th of the month after the event.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Colorado Springs?**

Special Event Permit (temporary retail food) (El Paso County Public Health): Food vendors apply to El Paso County Public Health for a limited-menu or full-menu special event permit (single event or multiple events). Fees are set by the Board of Health fee schedule, and the county's vendor FAQ asks for applications at least 10 days ahead.

**How far ahead should I apply in Colorado Springs?**

Special Event Sales Tax License (state): Allow 4 to 6 weeks for mailed applications; in-person visits issue the license during the visit Special Event Permit (temporary retail food): Apply at least 10 days before the event Cooking and LPG use at special events: LPG permit (over 125 gallons) submitted and approved at least 1 week before the event

## Sources

- https://coloradosprings.gov/specialevents
- https://coloradosprings.gov/system/files/2023-12/2024_prcs_rules_regulations.pdf
- https://Tax.Colorado.Gov/sites/tax/files/documents/DR0589_07-2022.pdf
- https://coloradosprings.gov/system/files/2023-09/special_events_-_trade_shows_-_no._172.1.pdf
- https://epc-assets.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/02/BoH-2024-EHS-Fee-Schedule-Chapter-3_Roy-Kroeger.pdf
- https://epc-assets.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/01/Special-Event-FAQ_2023.pdf
- https://coloradosprings.gov/fire-department/page/tents-canopies-and-membrane-structures
- https://coloradosprings.gov/system/files/2023-12/vendorlpgworksheet0119.pdf

All cities: https://bzar.app/permits