Colorado Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Colorado maintains a mixed regulatory approach to drone operations. At the state level, regulations focus on wildlife protection—prohibiting drone-assisted hunting with steep penalties—emergency response obstruction, and privacy violations. However, Colorado has no state preemption law, allowing individual municipalities to create their own drone ordinances, resulting in a complex patchwork of local restrictions across the state, particularly in the Denver metro area and mountain resort towns.
State Drone Laws
Colorado State Parks Regulation 100 c.24Drone Operations in State Parks
Flying drones is prohibited in all Colorado state parks except for Cherry Creek State Park and Chatfield State Park, which have designated model airfield areas.
2 CCR 406-0, Article IV, Section CProhibition on Using Drones to Aid in Taking Wildlife
It is unlawful to use a drone to search for, scout, or detect wildlife as an aid in hunting or taking wildlife. This includes pre-hunt scouting activities.
CRS 18-7-801 / 18-7-802Criminal Invasion of Privacy via Drone
Prohibits using a drone to conduct surveillance of a person or private property in a manner that violates reasonable expectations of privacy.
CRS 18-8-104 (amended by HB 18-1314)Obstruction of Emergency Responders with Drone
Makes it unlawful to obstruct peace officers, firefighters, EMS, rescue specialists, or volunteers using a drone. Exception: if you receive permission from the coordinating emergency entity and maintain communication, you are exempt from obstruction charges.
CRS 41-1-107Airspace Rights and Potential Trespass Liability
Grants Colorado surface landowners statutory airspace rights, creating potential civil trespass liability for low-altitude unauthorized drone flights over private property.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Colorado Springs
cityDrone Operation in Parks
Unlawful to operate drones in any city park without written consent from Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS), except in designated areas.
Restrictions
Commercial use requires Commercial Film Permit. Additional restrictions on Garden of the Gods Park.
Boulder County
countyUAS and Drone Policy on County Open Space
All UAS flights and operations on county open space must have an approved permit.
Restrictions
Permit must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to earliest proposed flight. Liability insurance is required.
City of Boulder
cityProhibition on Drone Operations in Open Space and Mountain Parks
Unlawful to launch, land, or operate unmanned motorized vehicle from City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.
Restrictions
Permits may be granted for research, search and rescue, wildlife management, and other authorized uses.
City of Denver
cityDrone Operations in Denver Parks
Launching or operating flying objects including drones is not allowed in any Denver Park Facility except in designated areas.
Restrictions
Designated areas: East Reservoir, Hutchinson Park, Wright Street Park. Permits may be available for special events.
City of Lakewood
cityDrone Flight Restrictions and Permit Requirements
Drone flight prohibited in Bear Creek Lake Park and William F. Hayden Park. Launching, landing, or operating from city facilities, parks, or open space requires permit except in designated areas.
Restrictions
Three designated Unmanned Aircraft Flying areas: East Reservoir, Hutchinson Park, Wright Street Park. Photo/video permit required for any commercial or non-commercial video/photography on city property or private property causing disruption.
City of Louisville
cityDrone Operations in Parks and Open Space
Prohibited to launch, land, or operate a drone in any City park or open space except for emergency landings by City law and code enforcement officers.
Restrictions
Parks and open space protected. Emergency exception for authorized personnel.
City of Cherry Hills Village
cityDrone Registration and Authorization Requirements
Recreational drone use allowed only upon registration with the City. No person may operate UAS on city property without written City Manager authorization.
Restrictions
Federal FAA registration proof required. No flight over city property, streets, trails, or parks without authorization. Ordinance No. 13 (2015).
City of Loveland
cityRecreational Drone Use at Designated Parks
Recreational drone use without permit allowed at designated park locations only.
Restrictions
Permitted parks: Barnes Park, Fairgrounds Fields, Centennial Park, Fairgrounds Park, Loveland Sports Park, Mehaffey Park, North Lake Park. Drones must not fly near nesting birds or discharge/drop payload. Flight over people prohibited. All commercial use prohibited.
City of Fort Collins
cityProhibition in Natural Areas
Prohibited to operate motorized aircraft or other motorized motor vehicle in any area designated and posted by the City as a City natural area.
Restrictions
Per Fort Collins Municipal Code Chapter 23, Article IX – Natural Areas.
Town of Vail
townRecreational Drone Use Restrictions
Recreational drone use prohibited in pedestrian areas and town-owned parking structures of Vail Village and Lionshead Village, Ford Park, and area surrounding Vail Valley Medical Center Heli-Port.
Restrictions
Restrictions apply to all recreational drone operations in specified areas.
Town of Telluride
townDrone Operation Authorization Requirements
No person may operate a drone on or over any Town property without written authorization from the Town Manager, or over private property without consent.
Restrictions
Operators must not fly recklessly or in manner endangering life or property. No operation near people, pedestrians, livestock, companion animals, or wildlife. Prohibition on operating under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering substances. Ordinance No. 1449 (2017).
Town of Windsor
townRemote-Controlled Aircraft Prohibition in Town Facilities
Except for Town programming purposes authorized by the Deputy Director, unlawful to operate remote-controlled airplane or motorized model device in any Town-owned park, trail, recreational facility, lake, or open space.
Restrictions
Per Colorado Charter Section 10-9-40.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone-assisted hunting or wildlife scouting (2 CCR 406-0) | Misdemeanor or Felony depending on species | $70 to $125,000 | Varies by species and severity | Colorado Parks and Wildlife | CPW actively monitors social media for evidence of drone-assisted hunting |
| Criminal invasion of privacy via drone (CRS 18-7-801/802) | Class 2 Misdemeanor | Up to $750 | Up to 120 days | Local Law Enforcement | Applies to drone surveillance violating reasonable privacy expectations |
| Obstruction of emergency responders with drone (CRS 18-8-104) | Class 2 Misdemeanor | Up to $750 | Up to 120 days | Law Enforcement and Emergency Response | Exception for coordinated emergency response with proper authorization and communication |
Drone-assisted hunting or wildlife scouting (2 CCR 406-0)
CPW actively monitors social media for evidence of drone-assisted hunting
Criminal invasion of privacy via drone (CRS 18-7-801/802)
Applies to drone surveillance violating reasonable privacy expectations
Obstruction of emergency responders with drone (CRS 18-8-104)
Exception for coordinated emergency response with proper authorization and communication
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Colorado does not require separate state drone registration. Federal FAA registration required for all drones over 250g ($5 for 3 years). Cherry Hills Village is the only municipality requiring proof of FAA registration at the city level.
Individual municipalities may require permits for operations on city property (Denver, Boulder, Lakewood, Colorado Springs, etc.). No statewide permit requirement.
Not required by state law. Boulder County requires liability insurance for permitted UAS operations on county open space. Most commercial clients require $1 million in drone liability coverage.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Remote ID Compliance
Remote ID required on all registered drones since March 2024
All drones registered with the FAA must broadcast Remote ID information. This applies to Colorado operators and enables identification of drone operators for enforcement purposes.
Density Altitude Effects
Colorado's elevation affects drone performance significantly
Denver is at 5,280 feet elevation. Expect 10–15% shorter flight times compared to sea level. Mountain passes and ski resorts at 10,000+ feet can reduce flight time by 20% or more. This affects battery performance and motor efficiency.
LAANC Authorization
Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability available at major Colorado airports
LAANC is available at 726 airports for near real-time airspace authorization in controlled airspace. Available to both Part 107 and recreational pilots.
Part 107 Commercial Requirements
FAA Part 107 certification required for commercial operations
Commercial pilots must pass FAA Part 107 knowledge test ($175 fee) and maintain Remote Pilot Certificate. No state-level commercial licensing required, but individual municipalities may require permits for operations on city property.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Colorado has not enacted a drone-specific critical infrastructure statute as of this writing. Pilots remain subject to general state laws on trespass, voyeurism, privacy, and reckless endangerment, and to all federal regulations including FAA Part 107.
Read the federal preemption guide →Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC available at 726 airports including around Denver International Airport (DEN) and Colorado Springs Airport (COS). Altitudes may be limited in Denver metro area due to Class B airspace.
Major Airports
DEN — Denver International AirportCOS — Colorado Springs AirportEGE — Eagle County Regional Airport
TFR Notice
Schriever Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Base, and Air Force Academy create restricted zones along Front Range. Folsom Field (CU Boulder) has standing TFR extending 3 nautical miles during CU football games (1 hour before to 1 hour after kickoff). Active wildfire areas have temporary TFRs.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Henry Borunda FAA Fine – $270,000
enforcementThe FAA fined Henry 'Hank' Borunda of Pueblo, Colorado $270,000 for 232 documented regulatory violations between August 2022 and December 2023. Violations included flying without certification, operating over people, nighttime flights without lights, and flying close enough to individuals that they had to duck. His social media accounts (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) operating as 'BumsNDrones' featuring drone harassment of homeless people were banned. This was one of the largest individual FAA drone penalties ever issued.
Pending Legislation
SB24Postponed IndefinitelyState & Local Unmanned Aircraft Regulation
Bill concerning unmanned aircraft systems regulation at state and local levels. Would have addressed state and local drone regulation frameworks.
Last action: February 25, 2026
SB71Postponed IndefinitelyUse of Surveillance Technology by Law Enforcement
Bill concerning regulation of law enforcement surveillance technologies to protect citizens. Would have included provisions on law enforcement drone use.
Last action: May 6, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder requires all drone flights on university property to be approved by the Office of Risk Management. The university has an active UAS research program. Restrictions: Prior approval required from Office of Risk Management. No flights over Folsom Field or during university events. Folsom Stadium TFR restricts flights within 3 nautical miles during CU football games (1 hour before to 1 hour after kickoff). | Yes | Office of Risk Management |
| Colorado State University | CSU requires drone operators to register with Environmental Health Services before operating on campus. Research and academic flights follow additional protocol. Restrictions: Must register with Environmental Health Services. No flights during sporting events at Canvas Stadium. | Yes | Environmental Health Services — 970-491-6745 or EHS@ColoState.edu |
Last Updated
This page is automatically verified and updated weekly by our AI-powered legal research agent (v1.0.0). While we strive for accuracy, always verify critical information with official state sources.
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