# Vendor event permits in Lakewood, CO

To run a vendor market in a Lakewood park, an organizer files a Community and Special Event Application with the city's Community Resources Department, and each vendor needs a $50 vendor permit. Vendors show a Lakewood sales tax license, and food booths need Jefferson County Public Health approval.

_Sources checked 2026-10-11. Not legal or tax advice; confirm with each agency._

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Community and Special Event Application
The organizer files the application with the department, listing vendors on it. Fees depend on the kind of event, with day rates for group events by attendance.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Lakewood Community Resources Department
- When: Events in a Lakewood park with 25 or more participants; smaller events may also need permits with amplified sound, tents, vendors, food, alcohol or an athletic component
- Fee: $25 non-refundable application fee (waived for group events); group events $50 to $200 per day by attendance
- Timing: Accepted up to 10 months ahead; submit at least 60 days before the event
- Official page: https://www.lakewoodco.gov/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Plan-a-Public-Event

## For the organizer: Other rules

### Event liability insurance
Coverage names the City of Lakewood as additional insured and must not be a wasting policy. The certificate is due 5 days before the event, and the city encourages sending it two weeks ahead.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Lakewood Community Resources Department
- When: Events permitted in Lakewood parks
- Fee: At least $1,000,000 each occurrence
- Official page: https://www.lakewoodco.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/community-resources/parks/bclp/cr_event_application_bclp.pdf

### City Clerk permits (alcohol, noise, block party, parade)
The Clerk's office issues these event permits and licenses. Its page states no fees or deadlines; call the office.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Lakewood City Clerk's Office
- When: Events with alcohol, amplified noise, a block party or a parade
- Official page: https://www.lakewoodco.gov/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Plan-a-Public-Event/City-Clerk-for-Permits-and-Licenses

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Vendor permit
Each vendor fills out its own permit application and must be listed on the event application. Required documents are a Jefferson County health certificate for food vendors, a Lakewood sales tax license, proof of liability insurance naming the city, and the permit fee.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Lakewood Community Resources Department
- When: Each vendor selling or serving at a permitted Lakewood park event
- Fee: $50 non-refundable permit application fee
- Timing: At least 60 days before the event (180 days for admission events); allow 10 days for review
- Official page: https://www.lakewoodco.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/community-resources/parks/bclp/cr_event_application_bclp.pdf

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Lakewood Sales and Use Tax License
Apply through Lakewood Business Pro. The city page does not discuss temporary event vendors; the parks event package tells vendors without a Lakewood license to contact the Finance Department to arrange sales tax.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Lakewood Finance Department
- When: Businesses with a substantial presence in Lakewood, including those sending employees or agents into the city; Lakewood is a home-rule city with its own 3.0% tax
- Fee: $20 nonrefundable fee; license expires in two years
- Timing: Apply at least 30 days before starting; a $30 late charge applies after that
- Official page: https://www.lakewoodco.gov/City-Hall/Departments/Finance/Business-Licensing-Tax/License-My-Business

### Special Event Reporting Log
The parks event package lists a Finance Department reporting log and says the event must collect and submit sales tax.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Lakewood Department of Finance
- When: Events with food or retail sales of any kind
- Official page: https://www.lakewoodco.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/community-resources/parks/bclp/cr_event_application_bclp.pdf

### Colorado Special Event License
Sellers need a special event license unless the event organizer has a license to collect tax for participating sellers. Apply with form DR 0589 plus government-issued photo ID by mail, and keep the copy as a temporary license until the official one arrives.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Colorado Department of Revenue
- When: Retail sales at a special sales event: more than three sellers at a location other than their normal business location, held no more than three times a year at the same location. Events held three or more times a year need a regular Retail Sales Tax License instead. Lakewood is a home-rule city, so its own tax rules apply in addition to the state special event license above.
- Fee: Single event license $8.00 per event; multiple event license $16.00 for a 2-year cycle
- Official page: https://tax.colorado.gov/special-event-license

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary food service vendor license and coordinator approval
Each vendor holds a Jefferson County Temporary Food Vendor License (or a Colorado mobile unit license) and keeps it in the booth. The event coordinator applies separately, supplies a labeled site map and a final vendor list, and is responsible for vendors being licensed.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Jefferson County Public Health
- When: Food booths at temporary or special events in Jefferson County, including Lakewood
- Fee: Vendors: full food service $145 (or $175 if received 13 days or less before), pre-packaged only $125 ($155 late). Coordinators: $95 (or $125 if received 29 days or less before)
- Timing: Vendors at least 14 days before; coordinators at least 30 days before, with the final vendor list 7 days before
- Official page: https://www.jeffco.us/FormCenter/Public-Health-18/Form-3610-Temporary-Food-Service-Events--209

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

Colorado requires an event organizer to tell each participating seller which taxes and rates apply, and to give the Department of Revenue the names, addresses and special event license numbers of the sellers within 10 days after the event. An organizer with its own special event license can collect and remit tax for vendors. (https://tax.colorado.gov/special-event-sales-tax)

## Where the sources are unclear

- The Colorado Department of Revenue site returned an access challenge to command-line fetches; the special event license and organizer pages were read through a fetch tool on 2026-10-11. Reconfirm fees at tax.colorado.gov before publishing.
- The vendor permit and insurance facts come from the Lakewood Parks community and special event package (file name references Bear Creek Lake Park); confirm the same rules apply to other city parks with Community Resources.
- The old lakewood.org addresses redirect to lakewoodco.gov; the new addresses are cited.
- The Lakewood sales tax page lists a Belmar rate of 5.5% combined and a 7.5% rate for most of the city; check the city rate for the event site.

## Questions

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

Community and Special Event Application (City of Lakewood Community Resources Department): The organizer files the application with the department, listing vendors on it. Fees depend on the kind of event, with day rates for group events by attendance.

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

Vendor permit (City of Lakewood Community Resources Department): Each vendor fills out its own permit application and must be listed on the event application. Required documents are a Jefferson County health certificate for food vendors, a Lakewood sales tax license, proof of liability insurance naming the city, and the permit fee.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Lakewood?**

Lakewood Sales and Use Tax License (City of Lakewood Finance Department): Apply through Lakewood Business Pro. The city page does not discuss temporary event vendors; the parks event package tells vendors without a Lakewood license to contact the Finance Department to arrange sales tax. Special Event Reporting Log (City of Lakewood Department of Finance): The parks event package lists a Finance Department reporting log and says the event must collect and submit sales tax. For organizers: Colorado requires an event organizer to tell each participating seller which taxes and rates apply, and to give the Department of Revenue the names, addresses and special event license numbers of the sellers within 10 days after the event. An organizer with its own special event license can collect and remit tax for vendors.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Lakewood?**

Temporary food service vendor license and coordinator approval (Jefferson County Public Health): Each vendor holds a Jefferson County Temporary Food Vendor License (or a Colorado mobile unit license) and keeps it in the booth. The event coordinator applies separately, supplies a labeled site map and a final vendor list, and is responsible for vendors being licensed.

**How far ahead should I apply in Lakewood?**

Community and Special Event Application: Accepted up to 10 months ahead; submit at least 60 days before the event Vendor permit: At least 60 days before the event (180 days for admission events); allow 10 days for review Lakewood Sales and Use Tax License: Apply at least 30 days before starting; a $30 late charge applies after that Temporary food service vendor license and coordinator approval: Vendors at least 14 days before; coordinators at least 30 days before, with the final vendor list 7 days before

## Sources

- https://www.lakewoodco.gov/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Plan-a-Public-Event
- https://www.lakewoodco.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/community-resources/parks/bclp/cr_event_application_bclp.pdf
- https://www.lakewoodco.gov/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Plan-a-Public-Event/City-Clerk-for-Permits-and-Licenses
- https://www.lakewoodco.gov/City-Hall/Departments/Finance/Business-Licensing-Tax/License-My-Business
- https://www.lakewoodco.gov/Local-Government/Departments/Finance/Business-Licensing-Tax/Sales-Use-Tax
- https://tax.colorado.gov/special-event-license
- https://www.jeffco.us/FormCenter/Public-Health-18/Form-3610-Temporary-Food-Service-Events--209
- https://www.jeffco.us/FormCenter/Public-Health-18/Form-3600-Temporary-Food-Service-Events--212
- https://tax.colorado.gov/special-event-sales-tax

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