Trustees approve one-time exception for drone light show if fireworks are banned

Trustees voted to allow a one-time policy exemption so an organized drone light show may apply for a special-event permit at the Buena Vista Drone Park on June 27, 2026.

Public commenters, including Dennis Heap and Blaine Clark of the Sons of the American Legion, said the drone event is intended as a contingency if fireworks are prohibited due to fire restrictions. Clark said the Legion and community partners have fundraising in place and would proceed with fireworks if conditions allow.

Special-events staff summarized the committee'9s recommendation and raised operational concerns: mixing alcohol with drone operations, staff and officer fatigue around the July 4 period, and the risk of setting a precedent for other busy weekends. Staff recommended allowing the application to proceed for this unique anniversary year if it is explicitly a one-time exception and the organizers submit a complete application including liquor permit and site plan.

Trustee Devon Roe moved to approve a policy exemption to permit the USA/Colorado sesquicentennial/fiftieth celebrations drone event to submit an application for 06/27/2026 at the Buena Vista Drone Park, with a requirement that the application be complete and that the exemption be one-time only; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call.

Organizers were told the full application process (liquor permits, operations plan, safety measures) must be completed before final approval. The board specified the exemption language be limited to this 2026 celebratory year to avoid creating a recurring exception.