You can fly a drone in Denver, but not in most parks. Denver bans drones in city parks unless an area is designated for them or you have a permit, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife allows radio-controlled models in state parks only in designated areas. Airspace around Denver International, Centennial and other airports also needs checking before every flight.
Denver city rules
Rule 14.3 of the Denver Parks and Recreation Park Use Rules and Regulations names drones ("unmanned aerial vehicle"), model airplanes and model helicopters as flying objects that are not allowed in a park facility. There are two exceptions: areas the parks director has designated, such as a model airplane flying area, and events or activities covered by a city permit or contract. Denver also owns mountain parks outside the city, including Red Rocks Park. Ask Denver Parks and Recreation before launching anywhere on city park land.
Denver's municipal code also covers drones in its obstruction law: Sec. 38-31 makes it a crime to obstruct a peace officer, and it specifically addresses doing so by using or threatening to use an unmanned aircraft system as an obstacle. Keep drones away from police activity.
Colorado state rules
- State parks (CPW Regulation #100.C.24). Colorado Parks and Wildlife rules make it unlawful to operate radio-controlled models on state park lands and waters except in designated areas. Ask the park office where those areas are. State wildlife areas fall under separate CPW rules, so check before you fly there too.
- First responders (C.R.S. 18-8-104). Using a drone to obstruct police, firefighters or rescue crews is a misdemeanor. Wildfire scenes are the most common case.
- Hunting. Using a drone to look for or scout wildlife to help hunting is illegal.
- Privacy. Colorado's general privacy laws apply to drones the same way they apply to any camera.
See Colorado drone laws for more.
Airspace
- Denver International (DEN) has Class B airspace east of the city.
- Centennial Airport and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport have Class D airspace, and Buckley Space Force Base is in Aurora.
- Stadium TFRs apply around Coors Field and Empower Field at Mile High during major games.
- Hospital helipads are common across the metro area.
Check B4UFLY or Aloft at your launch point, and request LAANC authorization in controlled airspace.
Nearby public land
- Rocky Mountain National Park bans drones, like every national park.
- Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks prohibit drones.
- National forests such as Arapaho and Roosevelt and Pike generally allow drones outside wilderness areas and TFRs. Many popular peaks are in wilderness, so check the map.
Flying at altitude
Denver sits at about 5,280 ft, and the mountains go much higher. Thinner air reduces lift and flight time, and mountain wind changes quickly. Keep a bigger battery reserve, fly in the calm morning air, and remember the 400 ft limit is measured from the ground under the drone.
Before you fly
- Pass the TRUST test, or get Part 107 for paid work.
- Register drones of 250 g or more.
- Confirm the land manager allows takeoff.
- Get LAANC where required and check for wildfire TFRs.
Recommended drones
The DJI Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro weigh 249 g, so they skip recreational registration and fit in a hiking pack. The DJI Neo is a simple, light option for selfie clips on private land.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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