The “Special Event Permit Application” must be submitted to the Town of Dillon’s Events and Recreation Department no less that sixty (60) days prior to the event. A $50 application fee is due at the time of submittal. Applications will not be reviewed until payment is received.

Applications are reviewed by the Events and Recreation Department, Police Department, Public Works Department, Administration Department and other individuals and agencies as appropriate. A Town representative will notify the event promotor of the decision and concerns in a timely manner following review of the application.

Prior to planning your event, the Town of Dillon asks that you take into consideration issues and concerns related to your event, such as amplified sound, an event occurring past 10 p.m., alcohol and food service, vendor sales, temporary tents and signage, portable restrooms, parking, road closures and access to power. 

We also urge applicants to consider the timing of the event as it relates to the Town's existing event calendar and the greater Summit County event calendar. Please check the Town of Dillon's Events Calendar before applying. 

Please note that there are other jurisdictions within Summit County that have their own permitting processes and may require additional applications as appropriate and may be involved in any event requests. Those jurisdictions include:

• Dillon Reservoir Recreation Committee (DRReC)
• United States Forest Service (USFS)
• Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
• Colorado State Patrol (CSP)
• Environmental Health Department when providing food and/or beverages
• Lake Dillon Fire Rescue Department when utilizing tent structures, and open flames or any fireworks
• Summit County Government
• Towns of Breckenridge, Frisco, and Silverthorne

The Town of Dillon will accept grant applications from non-profit organizations for free/ in-kind donations at the start of each calendar year. The Town of Dillon will only consider requests from non-profit organizations that can demonstrate a benefit to the residents of the Town of Dillon. To request in-kind use of the Dillon Amphitheater, Marina Park Pavilion, Town-owned fields and parks the Town will use the following criteria in determining in-kind donations:

• Is the applicant located in the Town of Dillon?
• Does the applicant’s request directly benefit Dillon and its community members?
• Does the applicant’s request benefit communities in Summit County?
• Is the program responsibly managed with a consistent revenue stream, providing sustainability?
• Is the applicant’s request aligned with Dillon’s Vision and one or more of Town Council’s Public Policy goals: 

• Community - The Town of Dillon values proactive engagement of our residents, businesses, visitors and local/regional partners to promote a positive sense of community
• Revitalization - The Town of Dillon promotes community revitalization and supports sustainable development of a thriving and vital community.
• Amenities - The Town of Dillon supports cultural, recreational and educational amenities and opportunities that enhance the Town’s unique qualities.
• Stewardship of our Future - The Town of Dillon provides conscientious stewardship of Dillon’s resources.
• Endorsement -The Town of Dillon values promotion of Dillon as a welcoming and responsive place to live, work and have fun.

Learn more about grant opportunities and in-kind donations. 

Park facilities including the Marina Park Pavilion can be rented in full-day or half-day increments. Reservations are available May 1 – September 30. Reservations are not available October 1 – April 30. Though reservations are not available during the winter months the pavilion remains free and open to the public.

To rent the Marina Park Pavilion for a family reunion, birthday, wedding, or other special event where a Special Event Permit is not required a Marina Park Pavilion Reservation Application must be filled out. We do not begin taking reservations until the first day of May of the current calendar year. All reservations are granted on a first come, first served basis. Dates and times are not guaranteed.

The Town of Dillon does not rent the Dillon Amphitheater for private events. The Town will partner with an event promoter if the event falls within these guidelines: 

• Does the applicant’s request directly benefit Dillon and its community members?
• Does the applicant’s request benefit communities in Summit County?
• Is the program responsibly managed with a consistent revenue stream, providing sustainability?
• Is the applicant’s request aligned with Dillon’s Vision and one or more of Town Council’s Public Policy goals: 

• Community - The Town of Dillon values proactive engagement of our residents, businesses, visitors and local/regional partners to promote a positive sense of community
• Revitalization - The Town of Dillon promotes community revitalization and supports sustainable development of a thriving and vital community.
• Amenities - The Town of Dillon supports cultural, recreational and educational amenities and opportunities that enhance the Town’s unique qualities.
• Stewardship of our Future - The Town of Dillon provides conscientious stewardship of Dillon’s resources.
• Endorsement -The Town of Dillon values promotion of Dillon as a welcoming and responsive place to live, work and have fun.

The Town of Dillon reserves the right to decide if an event is a good fit for the Dillon Amphitheater. If the Town decides to move forward with a promoter’s event at the Dillon Amphitheater, a rental fee and contract may be required.

Commercial film or a photo shoot are considered a special event and must be permitted through the Special Event Permit Process. Commercial film and photos are all photos and video not used for news media or personal use. 

 The following does not require a Special Event Permit:

• Filming or photography by casual photographers and tourists for solely private use.
• Filming or photography of private social events such as weddings.
• Still photography by free-lance/commercial photographers not involving a total crew of more than three persons if no street or public space closures or other town services are required.
• Filming or photography by credentialed members of the news media, including reporters, photographers, or camera persons in the employ of a newspaper, news service or similar entity engaged in on-the-spot print media, publishing or broadcasting of news events and of public interest, and/or for use in criminal investigations, civil proceedings, and emergencies such as fires, floods, etc. This exception does not apply to magazines or documentary programs.
• Filming or photography undertaken by the Town; Filming or photography by education, government and public access and local origination programs for cable television systems franchised within the Town.
• Filming or photography of a First Amendment Event as exempted in the Special Events Ordinance, Section 4-13.6; parade, rally, protest, or demonstration.

If the permit is accepted, a Town of Dillon Business License will also be required. For drone usage a UAV permit is required. 

 I want to hold my wedding or private party at the Marina Park Pavilion, do I need to fill out a Special Event Permit Application? 

No, unless you plan to sell alcohol to guests or if you anticipate a disruption to traffic, public rights-of-way or any other public safety hazard. A Marina Park Pavilion Application will be required for private use of the Marina Park Pavilion. 

My organization wants to hold a paid event on Town of Dillon property. Do I need to fill out a Special Event Permit Application? 

Yes, any time an event or activity takes place on Town of Dillon property where payment is exchanged for participation, you will need to fill out a Special Events Permit Application for approval. 

I want to host an event at the Dillon Disc Golf Course. What permissions do I need to obtain?

Three entities hold stake in the Dillon Disc Golf Course, the Town of Dillon, DRReC and Summit County Government. Any commercial activity must be approved by all three jurisdictions. 

Can I rent Point Dillon for a wedding or event? 

 No, the Town of Dillon does not rent Point Dillon for any events. 

I want to host a fundraiser at the Marina Park Pavilion, do I need a Special Event Permit?

Yes. Any time funds are collected from participants a Special Event Permit must be obtained from the Town of Dillon.

I am a professional photographer hired to capture wedding photos on the shores of the Dillon Reservoir, do I need a Special Event Permit? 

No, since this is for a private social event, a permit is not required. 

I am a professional photographer hired to shoot a commercial for a major corporation, do I need a Special Event Permit? 

Yes, a Special Event Permit is required for any commercial filming or photoshoots where the products from the photoshoot are not used for news media or personal use. 

I want to have my wedding at Sapphire Point, does the Town of Dillon operate that area? 

Sapphire Point is operated by the US Forest Service. The Town of Dillon does not operate that area. This is a non-exclusive day-use area, able to accommodate up to 35 people for small events such as wedding ceremonies. Although the site may be reserved, all visitors have access to the site. Weddings must have a valid permit from the U.S. Forest Service.

For any additional questions please contact info@townofdillon.com