Federal Land Managers
Three federal agencies manage lands in the Gunnison Valley—the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service. Any commercial shoot conducted on lands managed by any of these agencies requires a permit and communication with the respective agency. Reach out two months in advance.
Drones require special permissions to operate on federal lands. They may be prohibited in some areas, such as wilderness areas and National Parks.
U.S. Forest Service
Gunnison County contains hundreds of thousands of acres of National Forest in the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG). Most of that land lies within the boundaries of Gunnison National Forest.
More information about Forest Service film permits can be found on the GMUG website. View and download the Forest Service photography and filming request form here.
Contact: GMUG Forest Lands Program Manager Denise Kusnir, [email protected] or (970)-394-4792.
Bureau of Land Management
The Gunnison Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages Hartman Rocks Recreation Area and other lands surrounding Gunnison. They also manage the Oh Be Joyful area in Crested Butte. General information about BLM film permit requirements can be found on the BLM website.
Contact: Megan Mast, [email protected] or (970)-749-8125.
National Park Service
Blue Mesa Reservoir is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area and is managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The Park Service also manages Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Drones are prohibited in National Parks. Information on Black Canyon, Curecanti and Blue Mesa permits can be found on the NPS website.
Federal Aviation Administration
Anyone operating a drone on federal lands must be Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified. Learn more about becoming a certified remote pilot on the FAA website.
Municipalities and Local Governments
Gunnison County has three major municipalities—the city of Gunnison, the town of Crested Butte, and the town of Mt. Crested Butte. There is no formal process for film permits in the municipalities, but please reach out and give them a heads up if you’ll be filming within city or town limits. Special permissions are required for any film project that requires road closures.
City of Gunnison
Please inform the city of Gunnison of any filming within town limits.
Depending on the scope and location of the project (street closures or city park usage), there may be a special event permit required. More info on event permits can be found on the City of Gunnison’s website.
Contact: Gunnison city clerk Erica Boucher, [email protected] or (970)-641-8140.
Town of Mt. Crested Butte
Please inform the town of Mt. Crested Butte of any filming within town limits.
Depending on the size of the production, they will typically run permits for filming through the special event/non-liquor permit process.
Contact: Tiffany O’Connell, [email protected].
Town of Crested Butte
The town of Crested Butte only requires a formal permitting process if there will be street closures needed for the project.
Regardless of whether a permit is needed, please let the Crested Butte Marshall’s office know in advance of any shoot involving a drone by calling (970) 349-5231.
Contact: If you require street closures or have a complex shoot planned, contact town clerk Lynelle Stanford at [email protected] or at (970)-349-5338.
Gunnison County
Contact Gunnison Crested Butte Tourism Association marketing director Andrew Sandstrom for more information.
Agency Tourism Marketing