The public lands have long been a popular location for the motion picture industry. The western deserts, dry lake beds and mountain terrain are strong attractions to national and international television and film production companies. Many major motion pictures and television commercials have been filmed on public lands.

Special permits to use the public lands for commercial film production are issued by the Bureau of Land Management.

A permit is required for all commercial filming activities on public lands. Commercial filming is defined as the use of motion picture, videotaping, sound recording, or other moving image or audio recording equipment on public lands that involves the advertisement of a product or service, the creation of a product for sale, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props, but not including activities associated with broadcasts for news programs. For purposes of this definition, creation of a product for sale includes a film, videotape, television broadcast, or documentary of participants in commercial sporting or recreation event created for the purpose of generating income.

Commercial filming will NOT be permitted on public lands if it is determined that any of the following criteria apply:

• There is likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated.
• There would be an unreasonable disruption of the public's use and enjoyment of the site beyond short-term interruption of use of the site, or
• The activity poses health or safety risks to the public that cannot be mitigated.

Film Production companies should contact the local Bureau of Land Management office to advise them of their activity and determine whether or not a permit or fees are required. Each local Bureau of Land Management Field Office authorizes filming on public lands within its jurisdiction. Each location is unique and is subject to different conditions.

Go to http://www.blm.gov/nhp/what/commercial/filming/index.html for additional information or contact: Bureau of Land Management / US Forest Service Royal Gorge Field Office 3170 East Main Street Canon City, CO 81212 Phone: 719.269.8500 Fax: 719.269.8599