Many Colorado event permits and park rules ask for a certificate of insurance, often called a COI. Sometimes the event host provides it, and sometimes the rental company does. Knowing which one, and when it's due, keeps a bounce house or tent from being turned away on the day.
This guide explains the common requirements in plain terms. It isn't insurance or legal advice, so take coverage questions to a licensed insurance agent and permit questions to the city.
What a Certificate of Insurance Shows
A certificate of insurance is a document from an insurance agent or carrier that shows a liability policy is in place, with its limits and dates. When a city asks to be named as additional insured, it wants the policy to cover the city for claims tied to your event, and the certificate should show that.
Lone Tree's special event code spells out what the City expects to see: its insured status, the limits of each policy, the policy number, the insurer's name, and the effective and expiration dates, signed by an agent of a carrier authorized in Colorado.
Host Insurance vs. Rental Company Insurance
Cities make two different requests, and some events need both:
- Event host
- Golden requires the host organization of a permitted special event to carry at least $1 million in liability coverage naming the City of Golden and its employees as additional insured, covering setup through teardown
- Rental company
- South Suburban Parks and Recreation and Lafayette ask the inflatable rental company for a $1 million certificate naming the District or the City before a bounce house can be used
In these examples, park shelter rules ask for the rental company's certificate, while special event permits ask the host to carry its own policy.
Requirements in Colorado Cities
- Golden: a $1 million host policy naming the City and its employees, with the certificate due no later than 14 days before the event; events without one can't open to the public
- Lafayette: bounce houses at park shelters need the rental company's certificate naming the City with at least $1 million in combined liability, and the fire code plan review for community events with tents asks for a $1 million certificate naming the City
- Lone Tree: special event permittees carry liability insurance naming the City at Colorado Governmental Immunity Act limits; the City may require higher limits for larger events, and applicants can ask the City Clerk for a waiver
- South Suburban parks, including those in Lone Tree and Littleton: inflatables and climbing walls need a $1 million certificate naming the District, and vendors selling goods or services provide one too
- Fort Collins: inflatables and other apparatuses in parks need a Park Event Permit and a $1 million certificate of liability insurance
- Longmont: special events on public property need a $1 million certificate naming the City
When It's Due
Insurance is often one of the last documents due, but the deadline is firm:
- Golden
- No later than 14 days before the event
- Boulder
- Final insurance certificates 14 days ahead, per the City's special event handbook
- Manitou Springs
- Insurance and the final delivery schedule 14 days out
- Lafayette block parties
- At least three business days before the event, when required
City documents don't always agree with each other. Greeley's Island Grove handbook gives two different insurance certificate deadlines, 30 days and two weeks, so confirm the date with the city before you rely on either.
What to Ask Your Rental Company
- Can you send a certificate naming the city or park district as additional insured?
- What are your liability limits, and do they meet the $1 million several cities ask for?
- How long does your agent need to issue a new certificate?
- For inflatables and rides, are your units registered with Colorado's Amusement Rides and Devices Program?
- Who files any fire permit the tent needs?
Golden's event guide notes that the state's Amusement Rides and Devices Program requires annual registration, third-party inspections and insurance for rides and devices, and that the tent supplier files the Golden Fire permit for large tents. For more on inflatables, see the inflatable and party rental guide.
Before Your Event
- Read the permit or park rules for any insurance requirement
- Note who has to provide it: you, the rental company or both
- Get the exact name the city wants listed as additional insured
- Ask for the certificate early
- Make sure the dates cover setup through teardown
- Keep a copy on site
This guide summarizes city and park district requirements. It isn't insurance advice; a licensed agent can tell you what your own policy covers.
