Denver City Council members uncorked a proposal Tuesday that would allow private partygoers to pop open beer, wine and champagne in a number of city parks.
The plan, backed by the council’s public amenities committee, also expands the number of parks permitted to sell alcohol at special events.
Currently, only 3.2 percent beer is allowed at private parties in the parks.
A resident would have to obtain an alcohol permit. Parks & Recreation would look at each permit on a case-by-case basis.
“We will match the appropriate facility and park with what the event needs,” said Tiffiany Moehring, city parks communication director.
Although the committee moved the proposal forward, many council members objected to some parks being included in the list.
“I think it’s generally a good idea,” Councilman Charlie Brown said. “But I don’t want it in certain areas of parks in my district.”
Brown noted that picnic areas in Washington Park are often places where families eat lunch.
“Having a group of people drinking next to them could be disruptive,” he said.
Councilwoman Rosemary Rodriquez argued against the inclusion of Huston Park because neighborhoods in her district have urged against it.
As a result, council members will meet with their constituents and tinker with the list over the next few weeks. A public hearing will take place this summer.
Serving or selling alcohol would still be prohibited within 50 feet of a road, playground, recreation center or swimming pool.
For all private and public events, the hosts would have to obtain a permit from the parks department and possibly the city excise and licensing agency. The fee for events and festivals with alcohol would range from $390 to $5,300 a day, depending on the number of people in attendance. A $10 application fee, damage deposit and a set-up fee also would apply.
Rates for picnics and special occasions with alcohol would range from $150 to $350 a day, not including an application fee and damage deposit.
Parks where the city is considering new or expanded permitting programs for the sale and/or consumption of alcohol for special events and private parties:
Special occasion/private function permit sites (can serve only beer, wine and champagne; no sale of alcohol)
51st and Zuni Park (picnic site 1)
Alamo Placita Park (flower garden)
Bear Creek Park (shelter)
Berkeley Park (shelter and picnic site 1)
Bible Park (picnic site 1)
Centennial Gardens
City of Axum Park (picnic site 1)
City Park (picnic site 1, flower gardens, band shell, meadow, west side of Museum of Nature & Science)
Cheesman Park (picnic site 1 and pavilion)
Cook Park (shelters 1 and 2, and picnic site 1)
Cranmer Park (picnic site 1 and sundial)
Crestmoor Park (picnic site 1)
Eisenhower Park (picnic sites 2 and 3)
Garland Park (picnic sites 1 and 2)
Green Valley East Park (shelter)
Green Valley West Park (shelter)
Harvey Park (picnic site 1)
Huston Park (picnic sites 2 and 3)
Inspiration Point Park (flower gardens)
Lindsley Park (picnic site 1)
Loretto Heights Park (shelter and arch)
Magna Carta Park (picnic site 1)
Martin Luther King Park (picnic site 1)
Mestizo-Curtis Park (picnic site 1)
Observatory Park (picnic site 1)
Pferdestellar Park (picnic site 1)
Rocky Mountain Lake Park (picnic site 1)
Rosamond Park (shelter and picnic site 1)
Skyline Park (south, mid and north)
Valverde Park (picnic site 1)
Washington Park (picnic sites 1-4, flower gardens, boathouse)
Festival permit sites (must be a nonprofit; can sell or serve alcoholic beverages)
City Park
Civic Center
Confluence Park
Creek Front Park
City of Cuernavaca Park
Denver Performing Arts Sculpture Park
Ruby Hill Park
Skyline Park
Sloan’s Lake Park
Washington Park
Event facility permit sites
(can serve only beer, wine and
champagne)
Montclair Civic Building
Chief Hosa Lodge
Washington Park boathouse
Race/walk permit sites (can serve only 3.2 percent beer)
Bear Creek Park and Trail
Berkeley Park
Bible Park
Cheesman Park
City of Cuernavaca Park
City Park and Esplanade
Civic Center
Cherry Creek Trail
Confluence Park
Gates Crescent Park
Red Rocks Park
South Platte River Trail
