City Guide Filming in Union Station Denver, CO
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fee - $0
Minimum Insurance
- General Commercial Liability
- Personal & Advertising
- Policy Aggregate
- Automobile Liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Union Station Denver
Union Station in Lower Downtown Denver has, over the last century, developed from being just a busy transport hub into a bustling neighborhood. Union Station may be bordered by high rises, but at its core is unchanged and is a nucleus of original Victorian buildings, the most outstanding of which is the enormous 25-acre station building that gives the neighborhood its name.
Union Station has been a magnet for filmmakers since film became a popular storytelling medium. The station and the surrounding area have made countless appearances on both the big and the small screen. These days, as well as the historic station, it's parts of the neighborhood like Larimer Square, Confluence Park, and the Denver Millennium Bridge that continue to attract filmmakers.
1995 saw Union Station, the station itself, serve as a filming location in the movie Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead starring Christopher Walken. Not the most inspiring of titles, but a great film nonetheless. The 2014 movie The Frame was also filmed in parts in the neighborhood, as were parts of the hilarious comedy, Identity Thief.
There have been numerous more producers and directors who have decided Union Station was the ideal filming location for their productions. If you're planning on heading there to scout out locations, take a look at Giggster first. It'll give you a good insight into what filming locations are available in Union Station and what sort of cost you'll incur for hiring them.
The City of Denver welcomes filmmakers but is also a very organized one as far as filmmaking and having production crews on the streets are concerned. To that end, before you start filming in Union Station, make sure you're in the know about the Denver filming regulations, and you'll have a trouble-free shoot.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Union Station Denver?
Not all commercial filming in Union Station or in the City of Denver requires you to have a film permit.
You will need to obtain a film permit if your production involves any of the following:
A cast and crew of more than five people
Filming with equipment other than handheld cameras
The interruption of pedestrian or vehicle traffic
The use of public parking facilities
Causing a hindrance to public parking
Using a generator
Special effects
Stunts or chase scenes
Any violent action
Exclusive use of public property
When your filming doesn't involve any of the above, then you don't need to apply for a film permit before you can start shooting. That said, though, you will need to adhere to the filming rules and regulations set out by the City of Denver, which you can read more about in the special requirements section of this article.
Should your production be one that requires a film permit, then you should begin the application process a minimum of five days before your proposed shoot date. If you can do it earlier, then that’s even better.
When your production is a complex one involving a large cast, crew, and lots of production vehicles, you should apply for a film permit at least 14 working days before your estimated shoot date.
You may need to apply for additional permits if:
- You have chosen Union Station, the transport hub and complex, as your filming location then you will need a permit from the station management company. Before you can apply, you will need to contact them by email detailing your project, and they will get back to you about the permitting process. This applies to large, small, and student productions.
- Your chosen filming location is the 16th Street Mall or the Wynkoop Plaza. You will need to apply for a film permit from the Downtown Denver Partnership. You can learn more about permitting for these two locations in the special requirements section of this article.
- Your script calls for filming on any property or vehicle belonging to the Regional Transportation District (RTD), then you will be required to obtain a film permit from RTD Communications. You should do this a minimum of four weeks in advance of the proposed filming start date, or your application will be denied.
Permit Management in Union Station Denver
City of Denver Office of Special Events (OSE)
Film permits for Union Station are managed by the City of Denver Special Events Department with the exception of 16th Street Mall, Wynkoop Plaza, all RTD property and vehicles, and the Union Station building.
Permit applications should be made online via the city's official website. After you've submitted an application, you will be contacted by email. The Office of Special Events checks your application and, if needed, will liaise with other city authorities, such as the police or fire departments, about your project before issuing the permit.
If you are granted a film permit, you will be sent a copy by email, and you should keep it with you at all times during the shoot.
Take note that even if you are filming on private property, but your shoot will have an effect on any public resources such as transport or will impede traffic movement, then you will need to contact the Office of Special Events to see if your production requires permitting.
What Insurance Do I Need in Union Station Denver?
To be able to obtain a film permit for filming in Union Station, you will need to have adequate insurance coverage.
The City of Denver Office of Special Events publishes minimum recommended amounts for liability coverage. They are:
General Commercial Liability - $1,000,000 per occurrence
Personal & Advertising - $1,000,000 per occurrence
Policy Aggregate - $2,000,000
Automobile Liability - $1,000,000
While drone use is generally not permitted within the city limits, should you be given special permission to use a drone, you will be asked to provide extra insurance. The same applies if you will be using special effects or pyrotechnics.
The OSE doesn't require you to have liability insurance if:
Your production budget is $10,000 or less
You won't be obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic
You won't be using any generators or electric cables
You'll be using only handheld cameras to film with.
But, even if your filming doesn't require a permit, it's a good idea to have at least the minimum coverage as a safeguard.
You will be required to have the City and County of Denver named on the insurance certificate as additionally insured. To ensure the correct wording is used, check with the OSE before purchasing coverage.
If you're using locations in Union Station that don't fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of Special Events, including the parks, you may find that the managing bodies of those locations have different insurance requirements. They will inform you of the correct insurance coverage to have when you make your permit application.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Union Station Denver?
There really is no end to fantastic filming locations in Union Station. This Denver neighborhood has it all, and that's not including the more apparent places like Millenium Bridge, Larimer Square, and the Union Station building and all it contains.
The streets of Union Station are a treasure trove of buildings with Victorian facades, and there are incredible park areas such as Confluence and Commons Park. The section of Wynkoop Street that runs through the neighborhood has been used many times as a filming location, as has Larimer Street and Market Street.
In the south of the neighborhood, you'll come across a multitude of filming locations all clustered together that range from small events venues to large conference rooms to a banquet hall. There are plenty of business-oriented locations, too, so if you need a bar, a restaurant, or even an entire brewery, you'll find it. Pool is a popular game in Union Street, so if searching for a pool hall is at the top of your agenda, you won't need to search very far.
Special Requirements in Union Station Denver
Filming In Union Station Parks
The City of Denver Office of Special Events does not issue film permits for filming in the neighborhood parks. As with all of the parks in the City of Denver, the parks in Union Station fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
To obtain a film permit for any public park, you will first need to contact the DPR's Parks Permit Office by email or by calling the number published on the Denver City official website. Hire costs and permit fees are calculated on a project-by-project basis.
If you're granted permission to film, then you will be expected to abide by the code of conduct set out for activities in public places. A full, downloadable document stating the rules and regulations can be found in PDF format on the city website.
Denver Film Permit Rules & Regulations
The City of Denver Office of Special Events has issued a code of conduct and a list of regulations they expect all filmmakers to abide by when filming anywhere in the city.
One main rule that all filmmakers should be aware of is that no filming is permitted between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am unless prior permission has been granted. Another is that filming at one location is permitted for a maximum of 14 days only.
A complete list of the filming rules and regulations is downloadable from the OSE website in pdf format. To avoid any problems with the authorities during your shoot, make sure to read it before you start filming.
Filming On RTD Properties
You can’t film on any RTD properties without first sending an application to the RTD Communications department. They will assess your project and then get in touch. They may request a pre-production meeting to discuss your project before giving it the go-ahead.
The RTD also has specific insurance requirements:
General Liability Insurance - $5,000,000
Workers Compensation - $500,000
Automobile Liability - $1,000,000
Additional insurance coverage may be required depending on where your chosen filming location is. RTD also charges fees for the use of their property depending on your production budget. They also add an extra fee for the use of RTD intellectual property. If the correct documentation is presented, then fees for student or non-profit organizations may be waived. You can download a complete breakdown of RTD fees from their website.
Filming At Union Station
Should you want to film inside the historic Union Station building, you will need to ask for prior permission from the station's managing company. Filming is usually only permitted from Sunday to Wednesday from 1 pm to 3 pm. The decision on whether fees apply or not is made by the managing company on application. They will also advise on any additional insurance coverage that may be required.
What Does it Cost to Film in Union Station Denver?
The City of Denver Office of Special Events does not charge for the service of issuing a film permit that allows you to film in Union Station. That does not mean you won't incur any fees at all. There may be costs incurred by other permitting needs that are not apparent until they begin to process your application. If your production is one that requires you to have city employees present during the shoot, be it police officers or firefighters, or any other official, the production company will be billed accordingly. You may also be required to pay rental fees for use of park areas or public buildings.
Additional Fees
Contacting Union Station's management or appropriate authorities is crucial to discuss the details of your filming plans. They offer comprehensive information about charges, permits, and necessary conditions for shooting on their property. Moreover, enlisting a seasoned location scout or production manager familiar with filming at Union Station can be advantageous in managing the procedures and grasping the related expenses.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Union Station Denver?
Union Station is a compact neighborhood of Lower Downtown Denver that covers around a square mile of the city. It may be petite, but it's home to about 5,000 people, as well as being the location of multiple businesses. This tiny chunk of Denver is bordered to the north by 20th Street and the City of Cuernavaca Park. While the name Cuernavaca may translate directly from Spanish to English as horny cow, that's not what it means. The park is named after a city in Mexico, and cuernavaca means surrounded by woods. To the northwest is the South Platte River. 20th Street also forms the northeastern and southeastern boundaries of Union Station. Lawrence Street marks its entire southern boundary, and Cherry Creek is its western one. Surrounding Union Station is the Central Business District to the south, the Auraria Ninth Street Historic District and the campus of the University of Denver to the southwest, Highland Park to the northwest, and the Ballpark District to the northeast. Should your chosen filming locations encroach into any of the neighborhoods surrounding Union Station, in respect of film permitting, you will still need to deal with the City of Denver Office of Special Events.
Outreach in Union Station Denver
You may be expected to do outreach in Union Station if the Office of Special Events decides your filming may disrupt the community or if it is going to be particularly noisy. The good news is that as Union Station is such a minute neighborhood, it won't involve a great deal of leg work.
If the Office of Special Events decides that you need to do outreach, then you will have to liaise with one of the film coordinators to produce a suitable notification plan. This may involve the production of a notification with suitable wording and the distribution area.
The notification will be expected to contain details such as the name of the production company, the date or dates of the shoot, the specific locations you'll be filming at, and a contact number.
Because Union Station is so compact, you may find you’ll need to print a considerable amount of notifications even if you only have to cover a radius of five hundred meters from the filming location.
Any negative comeback from the distribution of the notifications must be relayed to the Office of Special Events, which will then decide a suitable course of action.
Community Management in Union Station Denver
While it might not seem essential to have a community manager on your crew when you're filming in Union Station, it's a good idea. There are a lot of small and medium-sized businesses in the vicinity that might not be too happy to see you filming outside their premises. Residential property in this neighborhood is also relatively high priced, and the more people pay for their homes, the more entitled they can become.
Ruffle the feathers of the local community, be it residential or business, and there's really nowhere to hide in Union Station. Having someone who is first class at public relations on set while you're filming means any antagonistic occurrence can be nipped in the bud straight away. The last thing you want is someone calling the Office of Special Events to make a complaint about your activities; sadly, that's what some people do.
If your budget will stretch to it, it's always a good idea to have some pre-production merchandising on hand for your community manager to hand out. It doesn't have to be much, a few pens with the name of the production stamped on them, keyrings, or any promotional material you can afford.
When people receive a gift, they're less likely to complain, and it's a nice reminder for them to watch your production when it finally hits the screen. If you can't afford to merchandise, make sure you hire a community manager with the gift of the gab and a big smile.
Conclusion
Union Station might not be the biggest neighborhood in Denver by a long way, but it certainly has a lot of film location appeal. From the iconic and historic railway station that it's named after to its Victorian-era buildings and its great parks, Union Station has a certain something about it that's hard to explain. Maybe you'll be the one to capture this neighborhood's essence on film, so everyone else will begin to understand just how special it is.
Whatever type of production you’re planning to film in Union Station, you’ll find the Denver Office of Special Events will be there waiting to assist you in any way they can, whether you need a filming permit or not. Don’t think twice about choosing Union Station as a filming location, it’s totally filmmaker-friendly and one of the best places, not just in Denver but in Colorado, to shoot a movie.