|
The public lands have long been a popular location for the motion picture industry. The western deserts, dry lakebeds and mountain terrain are strong attractions to national and international television and film production companies. Many major motion pictures and television commercials have been filmed on public lands.
Special permits to use the public lands for commercial film production are issued by the Bureau of Land Management.
 A permit is required for all commercial filming activities on public lands. Commercial filming is defined as the use of motion picture, videotaping, sound recording, or other moving image or audio recording equipment on public lands that involves the advertisement of a product or service, the creation of a product for sale, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props, but not including activities associated with broadcasts for news programs. For purposes of this definition, creation of a product for sale includes a film, videotape, television broadcast, or documentary of participants in commercial sporting or recreation event created for the purpose of generating income.
Commercial filming will NOT be permitted on public lands if it is determined that any of the following criteria apply:
- There is likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated.
- There would be an unreasonable disruption of the public's use and enjoyment of the site beyond short-term interruption of use of the site, or
- The activity poses health or safety risks to the public that cannot be mitigated.
Film Production companies should contact the local Bureau of Land Management office to advise them of their activity and determine whether or not a permit or fees are required. Each local Bureau of Land Management Field Office authorizes filming on public lands within its jurisdiction. Each location is unique and is subject to different conditions.
The Permitting Process
The Bureau of Land Management Website provides comprehensive information about filming on public lands, including a Schedule of Fees and a step-by-step explanation of the permit process.
- Land Use Application Form
Complete only the application section and sign the form. Bureau of Land Management will complete the permit portion of the form.
- Detailed Description of Filming Activity
You will also need to fill out this form and submit with application
- Provide a map showing the specific location(s) requested. Consult Bureau of Land Management local office for map of area if needed.
- Cost recovery and rental fees as discussed with the local Bureau of Land Management film permit coordinator.
- Certificate of Insurance naming Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management as co- insured. Contact the appropriate Bureau of Land Management office for specific dollar amount.
Depending on the location, time of production and type of production, Bureau of Land Management may impose additional requirements such as bonding, reimbursement for overtime costs, etc.
Payment of Fees: Fees may be paid by credit card or checks payable to US Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management. The public contact specialist in each local Bureau of Land Management office can assist in accepting credit card payments.
Bonding: Permittees may be required to provide cash bonds to assure reclamation of sets or sensitive locations.
Large Productions and Requests to Film Outside Popular Locations will usually require an onsite pre-application conference with Bureau of Land Management personnel. Although the permitting process may not vary, the time to process the application for film production permit will usually take 30 to 60 days. Contact the appropriate Bureau of Land Management office for details.
Cost Reimbursement Processing and Monitoring Fees and Rental Fees must be paid before filming is permitted on public land. Generally it is easiest to submit all fees with the application. Processing fees are non-refundable, but monitoring and rental fees will be refunded if the application is not approved. Where the total rental fee is less than $250, cost reimbursement fees are not charged, although it may be necessary to contribute funds to Bureau of Land Management to meet expedited processing requirements.
Processing and Monitoring Fees vary depending on the estimated hours of time required to process the application and to monitor filming and reclamation. In most cases, minimal impact filming at popular locations requires payment of Category 1 fees. These fees are generally paid with the application after coordination with the local Bureau of Land Management contact. The fees are based on the following schedule:
Category |
Work Hours |
Processing/Monitoring Fees |
1 |
1 to 8 |
$100 |
2 |
8 to 24 |
$354 |
3 |
24 to 36 |
$665 |
4 |
36 to 50 |
$953 |
5 |
Not Applicable to Film Permits |
6 |
50+ |
Full Reimbursement For Actual Costs |
Colorado Bureau of Land Management Offices
Bureau of Land Management
Colorado State Office
John Beck
2850 Youngfield Street
Lakewood, Colorado 80215
Phone: 303.239.3882
Fax: 303.239.3934
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area State Parks
Bureau of Land Management
307 West Sackett
PO Box 126
Salida, Colorado 81201
Phone: 719.539.7289
Fax: 719.539.3771
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
& Anasazi Heritage Center
Bureau of Land Management
27501 Highway 184
Dolores, Colorado 81323
Phone: 970.882.4811
Fax: 970.882.7035
Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area
Bureau of Land Management
2815 H Road
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506
Phone: 970.244.3000
Fax: 970.244.3083
Columbine Field Office
Bureau of Land Management/US Forest Service
110 W. 11th
Durango, Colorado 81301
Phone: 970.385.1368
Fax: 970.385.1375
Del Norte Field Office
Bureau of Land Management/US Forest Service
13308 W. Hwy. 160
Del Norte, Colorado 81132
Phone: 719.657.3321
Fax: 719.657.6035
Glenwood Springs Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
50629 Hwys 6 & 24 (81601)
PO Box 1009
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602
Phone: 970.947.2800
Fax: 970.947.2829
Grand Junction Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2815 H Road
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506
Phone: 970.244.3000
Fax: 970.244.3083
Gunnison Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
216 N. Colorado
Gunnison, Colorado 81230
Phone: 970.641.0471
Fax: 970.641.1928
Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
Bureau of Land Management
2465 S. Townsend Avenue
Montrose, Colorado 81401
Phone: 970.240.5300
Fax: 970.240.5368
Kremmling Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2103 E. Park Avenue
PO Box 68
Kremmling, Colorado 80459
Phone: 970.724.3000
Fax: 970.724.9590
La Jara Field Office
Bureau of Land Management/US Forest Service
15571 County Rd T5
La Jara, Colorado 81140
Phone: 719.274.8971
Fax: 719-274-6301
Little Snack Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
455 Emerson St.
Craig, Colorado 81625
Phone: 970.826.5000
Fax: 970.826.5002
Manco/Dolores Field Office
Bureau of Land Management/US Forest Service
100 N. 6th St.
PO Box 210
Dolores, Colorado 81323
Phone: 970.882.7296
Fax: 970.882.6841
Pagosa Springs Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
PO Box 310
Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147
Phone: 970.264.2268
Fax: 970.264.1538
Royal Gorge Field Office
Bureau of Land Management/US Forest Service
3170 East Main Street
Canon City, Colorado 81212
Phone: 719.269.8500
Fax: 719.269.8599
San Juan Public Lands Center
Bureau of Land Management/US Forest Service
15 Burnett Court
Durango, Colorado 81301
Phone: 970.247.4874
Fax: 970.385.1375
San Luis Valley Public Lands Center
Bureau of Land Management/US Forest Service
1803 West Hwy 160
Monte Vista, Colorado 81144
Phone: 719.852.5941
Fax: 719.852.6250
Suguache Field Office
Bureau of Land Management/US Forest Service
46525 Highway 114
PO Box 67
Saguache, Colorado 81149
Phone: 719.655.2547
Fax: 719.655.2502
Uncompahgre Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2505 S. Townsend Avenue
Montrose, Colorado 81401
Phone: 970.240.5300
Fax: 970.240.5367
Western Slope Center
Bureau of Land Management
2815 H Road
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506
Phone: 970.244.3000
Fax: 970.244.3083
White River Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
73544 Highway 64
Meeker, Colorado 81641
Phone: 970.878.3800
Fax: 970.878.3805
|
