Parking & Access Management

The City of Boulder provides over 2,500 parking spaces in the downtown area alone and even more throughout our community centers and neighborhoods.

Our parking permit system has gone digital!

The City of Boulder recently moved to a digital permitting process that will make purchasing and renewing permits more convenient. This system went into effect Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. This change only impacts those using residential (including guest and visitor) permits, commuter permits, business employee NPPs, contractor NPPs, surface lot permits, Trinity Garage permits, Boulder Junction Garage permits, and other on-street parking permits. Those parking with a garage permit through Metropolis will not be impacted.

To access the new customer portal, please visit boulder.aimsparking.com. If you previously had permits through our old software, visit our new online customer portal. Enter the email associated with your previous account. Select ‘forgot password’ and create a new password to access your account. Any current permits will appear digitally in the ‘Permits’ section. Please check that your home address and the license plate number associated with your permit(s) is correct. Starting on Dec. 1, 2024, we will only enforce digital permits, so if the license plate associated with your permit is incorrect you may be subject to a citation.

If you are creating a new account, please select login and then register. Once you have created a password, please ensure you enter your contact information carefully.

Whether logging into the new portal with existing information or creating an account for the first time, please ensure your contact information is correct. To ensure a smooth process, select your correct address from the drop-down menu that will appear when you begin typing in your information. If you try to override the address bar, the system may not recognize your address as valid.

If you have any questions, please reach out to parkingservices@bouldercolorado.gov.

Digital Permit Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Boulder’s Parking & Access Services team recognizes the need to continually evaluate and improve upon our current systems. The city transitioned to digital parking permits to further streamline the parking permit system.

This change will improve efficiency, allowing us to provide quicker support to our customers, as well as increase our environmental sustainability. Customers will immediately receive a digital permit upon payment without having to wait for it to arrive in the mail or come pick it up in our office.

There are several changes to the permitting process with the transition to a digital-only system. These are intended to increase convenience for our customers and enhance staff efficiency. Updates to the permitting process include:

  • Residential permit holders can purchase and manage guest/visitor permits online in our new parking portal.
  • Residential permits will now be valid for one calendar year from the purchase date, regardless of when you purchase the permit. Residential permits will also have an easier renewal process for the second year. Customers will only need to attest that their information has not changed rather than reapply with all their documentation.
  • Surface lot and commuter permit renewals are changing from quarterly to monthly, so they are more affordable, and convenient for customers who need a short-term solution. Customers can now pre-pay for these permits up to the end of the calendar year. If you purchase a permit in January, you can purchase for all 12 months at the same time.
  • Commuter permits will no longer be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at the end of each quarter. Instead, these permits will become available throughout the year as they are relinquished. Customers should check the second week of every month for permits that become available.
  • You will not be able to purchase or renew a digital permit if you have a parking violation that has not been either paid or contested in over 14 days from its issuance.

On-street parking permits became digital-only beginning Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

The switch to digital permits only impacts those using residential (including guest and visitor) permits, commuter permits, business employee NPPs, contractor NPPs, surface lot permits, Trinity Garage permits, Boulder Junction Garage permits, and other on-street parking permits. Customers that have a garage permit through Metropolis will not be impacted. Those parking without a permit will not be impacted.

Permits to any of our BoulderPark garages powered by Metropolis are already digital and will not be impacted by this change.

Your permit is still valid for the term of purchase; however, it will be digital. On or shortly after Nov. 4, please login to the new portal using the ‘forgot password’ link and confirm that your vehicle information is correct for your digital permit.

Digital permits - including existing permits - will be available for purchase and renewal in our new customer service portal beginning Nov. 4. After applying for a permit and receiving approval, you will see the permit added to your online account. Once the transition to the new digital software is complete, you will be able to manage the permit virtually. You will no longer be required to visually display any kind of permit on your vehicle. Permits will be tied to your vehicle's license plate and managed digitally.

No, you do not need a cell phone to purchase a digital permit. You can access permits from any web-enabled device by visiting the customer portal. You can also make an appointment with our Parking & Access team in person or apply via email or phone – you also do not need a computer to purchase a digital permit.

The renewal period for several of our permits is changing.

Residential permits will be valid for one calendar year from the purchase date. Residential permits will also have an easier renewal process for the second year. Customers will only need to attest that their information has not changed rather than needing to reapply with all their documentation.

Surface lots and commuter permit renewals are changing from quarterly to monthly. However, customers can pre-pay for these permits up to the end of the calendar year. If you purchase a permit in January, you can purchase for all 12 months at the same time.

Additionally, commuter permits will no longer be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at the end of each quarter. Instead, these permits will become available as soon as they expire. Customers should check the second week of every month for permits that become available.

Digital Permitting How-To Videos

View the videos

Street Parking & Pay Stations

On-street pay stations are available throughout the downtown, University Hill and Boulder Junction areas. Most downtown, University Hill and Boulder Junction pay stations have a three-hour parking maximum.

Pay for On-Street Parking

15 Minutes Free

Visiting Boulder for a quick stop errand? The City of Boulder offers 15 minutes free, once per day/per license plate) at our on-street pay stations. You will need to start a parking session by selecting 15 minutes free on the pay station and entering your license plate.

If you'd like to park longer than 15 minutes, you will need to return to the meter and add additional time at the standard hourly price of $1.50-$2.50.

15 minutes free is also available via the ParkMobile application.

Where to Park

Pay by phone using ParkMobile

Using ParkMobile allows you to pay for parking at ParkMobile enabled pay stations, or by phone, making it easier than ever to skip the meter and pay with your phone. When using ParkMobile you choose how long you want to park and pay for that amount of time. When the expiration time approaches, you can receive a text alert allowing you to extend your time (within the maximum time limit for that area). Advantages include:

  • Decreased chance of parking fines with text message expiration reminders sent to your cell phone.
  • A new smart phone app which enables all of the capabilities of the service with the touch of a button.
  • A 1-hour minimum is in place for all transactions processed through ParkMobile.
  • Parking receipts via email/text message.
  • A $.45 transaction fee applies for each transaction.
  1. Pay by App

    Download the app and create an account with ParkMobile.

    • The full-featured app for iOS and Android provides the most complete parking experience.
    • You can pay for parking or make a pre-paid reservation.
  2. Pay by Web

    New lightweight mobile web experience lets you quickly pay for parking without downloading the full app.

  3. Pay by Text

    Text “PARK” to 77223 and you will be able to quickly start a parking session.

  4. Google Pay with Google Maps

    Pay with ParkMobile right in the Google Pay app. Plus, quick links from Google Maps make it easy to navigate and start a parking session.

On-street Rates & Hours

Parking close to high-demand areas of Boulder will cost 50 cents more per hour. This change is the result of an extensive and ongoing study of Boulder's growing parking needs, and a move toward performance-based pricing.

  • $1.50-$2.50 per hour
  • $1.50 per hour for accessible parking spaces
  • Enforced: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. / Monday - Saturday
  • Saturdays: No maximum
  • Sundays and city holidays: Free
Map indicating blocks downtown with increased on-street parking prices in January 2024.

City of Boulder pricing changes parking map effective Jan. 2, 2024.

Parking at Chautauqua
In the summer months on weekends and holidays, pay parking on-street is in effect in and around popular Chautauqua Park from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. while the free Park to Park shuttle runs. Visit the Park to Park Shuttle webpage for more details.

Meter Feeding
Meter feeding is prohibited. Vehicles parked at a meter for longer than the maximum time posted on the meter—even if the meter still has time on it—will receive a ticket. This practice encourages turnover of parking spaces for customers, clients and visitors to downtown.

Note
No overtime parking tickets will be issued within five minutes of valid receipt expiration time.

Pay a Parking Ticket

Terms

You must pay or arrange to dispute your parking ticket within 14 calendar days from the violation date set forth on your ticket.

How to pay

  1. Pay online
  2. Pay by phone
    • Call 303-441-4212 and pay using a MasterCard/Visa
  3. Pay by mail
    • Follow the mailing instructions on your ticket.
    • The court accepts payment via personal check, money order, cashier's check, or MasterCard/Visa.
    • If you are paying by check or money order, make it payable to "City of Boulder" and be sure to reference the ticket number located on the top of the ticket. Please do not send cash through the mail.
  4. Drop-off payments
    • Drop off your payment in the drop box located at the parking lot entrance across the street from the Boulder Municipal Court.
    • Acceptable forms of payment are personal check, money order, cashier's check, or MasterCard /Visa.
    • If you are paying by check or money order, make it payable to "City of Boulder" and be sure to reference the ticket number located on the top of the ticket. Please do not drop off cash in the drop box.
  5. Pay in person
    • You may pay in person at the Boulder Municipal Court from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The court is closed for staff meetings the second Friday of every month from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Acceptable forms of payment are personal check, money order, cashier's check or MasterCard/Visa.
    • Cash is also accepted for in-person payments only.

Lost parking tickets

The payment site requires a citation number in order to match with a ticket. Please contact the court to have staff look up the citation number.

  1. Phone

    Our offices can be reached via phone at 303-441-1841. Our offices are open Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., and then reopen again from 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. We are also closed until 1 p.m. on the second Friday of each month.

  2. Email

    The email address for questions is bouldermunicipalcourt@bouldercolorado.gov.

Contact

Pay a Parking Garage Citation

Step 1

To pay your parking citation, please visit payments.metropolis.io and enter your citation number or license plate number into the “Pay my Parking Ticket” prompt.

If this is your first Metropolis citation in a City of Boulder parking garage, the violation fee can be waived. To waive your first-time citation, please follow the steps in "Appeal a Parking Garage Ticket." Please note that you will still be required to pay a $5.25 processing fee plus the cost of your parking session. If this is not your first Metropolis citation in a City of Boulder parking garage, you will be required to pay the full violation.

Step 2

Once the violation number or license plate number have been entered, the violation associated will generate on the next page.

Step 3

The violation will allow for a view of the violation details, location, and images of the vehicle.

Step 4

In order to pay the violation, please enter your credit card information into the “Payment Method” prompt and then click “pay violation.”

Step 5

Once the payment is processed, an option for a receipt will be available on the next screen.

If additional support is needed, please contact payments@metropolis.io

Appeal a Parking Ticket

Broken Pay Stations

  • For tickets received as the result of a broken meter, please call the Violations Bureau at 303-441-4212 in order to start the process for a meter check.

Submit your appeal online

Please note: If you received a handwritten ticket, it may not be in the database for up to three business days. If you cannot retrieve your ticket after waiting three business days, please contact the Violations Bureau at 303-441-4212.

  • Please go to the City of Boulder Parking Portal and log in or create an account in order to submit an appeal.
  • If you have appealed a citation and have not received a response within a week, please check your spam or junk mail inbox.

Documentation

Proper documentation is essential to reviewing your appeal. Please be sure to include documentation for the following types of violations which require proof to be submitted with the appeal:

  • If you are appealing a No Valid Plate ticket, you must include a copy of your current registration or the appeal will not be reviewed.

  • If you are appealing a Permit violation of any type, you must include a copy of your valid permit or the appeal will not be reviewed.

  • If you are appealing a Handicap violation and have a valid and current handicap placard, you must include a copy of the placard with your appeal.

You can attach scanned documents or pictures with your online appeal.

Contact

Appeal a Parking Garage Ticket

Step 1

If you feel like your violation was sent to you in error, please visit payments.metropolis.io to dispute your violation.

If this is your first Metropolis citation in a City of Boulder garage, the violation fee can be waived. To waive your first-time violation, visit payments.metropolis.io and follow the steps below to dispute the charge. Please note that you will still be required to pay a $5.25 processing fee plus the cost of your parking session if waiving your first-time citation.

Step 2

Enter your violation number or license plate number into the “Pay my Parking Ticket” prompt.

Step 3

Once your violation has populated, refer to the prompt at the bottom of the page “How to file a dispute.”

Step 4

Click the link provided and on the following page, complete the required fields to dispute the violation. If you are waiving your first-time citation, please select a dispute reason and provide an explanation in the description box.

Step 5

Once finished, please click submit and the dispute will be generated and sent to our customer support team.

Step 6

Violation disputes are resolved within 14 business days and our customer support team will do their best to resolve your concern.

ParkMobile FAQs

  • Less chance of parking citations. Parkmobile can send reminders by text message to your cellular phone – just check the box in your profile to receive reminder messages.
  • Pay for parking via a smart phone application
  • All you need is: cell phone, credit card or PayPal account, and your car's license plate number to register. The smartphone application can save vehicle information, credit card or PayPal account numbers, and various parking zone locations.

  • Drivers register online/via a smart phone application. Download the app or call the toll-free number on the sign located near the pay station.
  • When you park in your space, use the Parkmobile smartphone application or call the toll-free number indicated on the lot sign. Key in your zone number, located on the sign near the pay station. This number is different for every parking zone and can be saved via the smartphone app. Select the amount of time you wish to park.
  • If time-limits apply in the space where you parked, Parkmobile will send a text 15 minutes prior to the expiration of your paid parking. You may select to add more time or return to your car on time.

When you register, you sign up to pay by credit card or PayPal using our secure site. Payments are usually posted the same day, so you can login to your Parkmobile account and see your parking transactions on your Parkmobile page.

It depends on where you are parking. A toll-free number is posted at every site, or download the app and it will save you time.

It depends on the parking restrictions in the area in which you've parked. Your parking transaction will continue until you deactivate it or until the maximum time runs out.

Contact Parkmobile right away. Give them the details and they’ll help you sort it out.

When you use the mobile app or call to start the parking session, you key in a zone number. Parkmobile’s system recognizes your cell phone number, connects it to your license plate number and activates your parking in that zone. The parking officer verifies your parking session by matching the license plate to the zone number.

Parkmobile cannot stop parkers from parking in the wrong place or taking up two spaces or any other violations that may apply. Avoid tickets and towing by activating your parking session, and don’t overstay the posted time limit. Please read the posted signage in each area to be certain the Parkmobile is in effect at the time you are parking.

Our new on-street parking pay stations no longer require you to display a paper receipt. All you need is your license plate number. Paying by phone means you don't need to walk to a pay station to pay or enter your license plate. As long as you use the pay by phone system correctly, you should not be fined. See the question above regarding parking officers.

The Parkmobile system is PCI DSS level 1 compliant and your Parkmobile personal page is SSl 256 encrypted.

Normal hourly parking charges apply plus a $.45 convenience charge per every transaction you make.

No additional charge for the service. (Check your cell phone plan. Some cell phone providers may charge you to receive text messages.)

You can go online to your Parkmobile personal page anytime to make changes to your account, review parking charges, print parking transactions or export data to another format.

Look for the green Parkmobile signs!

Longer Parking

If you plan to park for more than 1 hour, your best bet is to head to one of the City's public parking garages.

Longer-term on-street pay stations (4 and 10 hours) are located at 8th and Pearl streets, and on 13th and 14th streets between Canyon *Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue.

Accessible Parking

Reserved accessible parking is provided in designated street spaces as well as downtown Central Area General Improvement District (CAGID) parking structures. These spaces are signed and marked, limiting use to vehicles displaying a valid disabled placard/license plate.

Please Note:

Parking Enforcement

City of Boulder parking enforcement officers patrol Boulder's downtown streets, University Hill, Boulder Junction and in Boulder neighborhoods from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. In and around popular Chautauqua Park, officers enforce parking ordinances during the summer months on weekends and holidays, as part of the Chautauqua Access Management Plan and free Park to Park shuttle operating schedule.
Illegal parking complaints are enforced citywide.

Common violations:

  • Failure to pay, or exceeded paid time in pay parking areas;
  • Expired or no license plates;
  • Safety violations (i.e. too close to crosswalk, alley, hydrant).

Report an Illegally Parked Vehicle

Working hours

  • 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, please email ParkingServices@BoulderColorado.gov or call 303-413-7300 opt. 2
  • For pressing parking concerns, please call non-emergency Police Dispatch at 303-441-3333. ​
  • Any other questions or inquiries, please submit an Inquire Boulder request. Please note that office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 4:30pm. Questions or inquiries submitted outside of these hours will not be responded to until the next business day.

After hours

  • 4:30 p.m. – 9 a.m., Monday-Friday, and during weekends, contact non-emergency Police Dispatch at 303-441-3333.

Further information

If you are reporting an illegally parked vehicle please provide the location, violation, vehicle description, license plate number, and a good contact number to reach you at.

  • Our goal is to respond to reports of parking issues within 24 hours (staff permitting), unless it is an emergency that is being forwarded from Police Dispatch.
  • Please note, it may take up to 10 business days for an abandoned vehicle to be removed from the public right of way.
  • Neighborhood Parking Permit zones are enforced, please be aware of the parking signage and ordinances when parking your vehicle.
  • Concerns about interaction with parking officers should be directed to Leo Pelle, Parking Enforcement Supervisor, pellel@bouldercolorado.gov.

Broken Parking Meter or Pay Station

If a pay station or meter is not functioning properly

  • The maximum time limit on the pay station or meter is enforced even if the display is not functioning.
  • If a pay station is broken or malfunctioning, please pay at the next closest pay station.
  • We do not recommend that you park at a broken or malfunctioning meter because the problem may correct itself and the meter may begin functioning.

Report pay station or parking meter issues

The maintenance and meter technician staff on-duty schedule is Monday – Sunday from 6 a.m. to 9. p.m.

  1. Online
  2. By phone
    • To report parking meter issues, or if you have a question or concern regarding Community Vitality Parking & Access Management maintenance operations, please call 303-413-7300, opt. 3.

Parking Permits: Purchase, Refill or Renew

Types of permits

Purchase, refill, or renew the following types of permits:

Take a look at our breakdown of permit options to determine which might work best for your parking needs: Parking Permit Options.

Purchase, refill, renew

  1. Online

    Downtown garage permits can be purchased through Metropolis. To purchase a permit for the 15th and Pearl, 10th and Walnut (St. Julien), 11th and Walnut (Randolph), 11th and Spruce, or 14th and Walnut (RTD) garages, you can register with Metropolis and then look for 'subscriptions'.

  2. Email or phone

Lot Parking Permits: Purchase or Renew

Lot Permit Application

Allows long-term parking for district employees, paid quarterly, at an assigned location. There are three downtown surface lots. Permits are only available for employees of CAGID (Downtown). Lot Permits are currently $287 per quarter. Currently all surface lots are waitlisted.

Downtown & surface lot application forms:

Purchase, refill, renew

  1. Online

    The easiest way to manage your permits is through our online customer portal.

  2. Call 303-413-7300

Wait Lists

If you are looking for a permit for one of our sold-out surface lots, you can apply to be added to one of our waitlists.

  • Lots with Wait Lists: 1336 Canyon Lot, 1745 14th Lot, and 1775 14th Lot.

The Wait List Application can be submitted via our City of Boulder Online Parking Portal.

  • 5 Permit Cap: A five (5) permit cap for any single customer on the waitlist, per each surface lot.
  • Renewal: Waitlist customers will receive an email from the Customer Service team on an annual basis with a list of their waitlist requests. The customer needs to audit the information and let our team know if any changes need to be made.
  • Inactive Permit Removal: If a customer has a permit that has been unused for a period of 3 months, the customer service team will reach out to help find a product that better serves the customer's needs.
  • One Wait List per Lot: There will be individual wait lists for each surface lot. Customers may apply to be on multiple wait lists simultaneously.
  • Deposits: Deposits are not required to apply for a waitlist

Neighborhood Parking Permit Program (NPP) permits

The Neighborhood Parking Program has a separate process to purchase and renew resident, business employee, and commuter permits.

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule online

We strongly encourage customers to schedule an appointment. Appointments cut down on your wait time, help avoid repeat trips, and facilitate a more efficient process. Additionally, most services can be completed via phone, email or through the City of Boulder online parking portal.

In-person services are necessary for EcoPass pickup, Special Activity Permits, Alpine-Broadway booklets, No Parking signs, and services where staff signatures are required.

Schedule by phone or email

Office closure

  • Community Vitality Parking & Access Management Office is closed on federal holidays
  • Parking on those days is free at city garages downtown, parking lots and on-street (*except in/near Chautauqua Park during the summer months when the free Park-to-Park shuttle is running)

Online Parking Portal

Please note

Before beginning the process, you will need to add noreply@bouldercolorado.gov to your list of safe senders and/or to your email contacts. There is a high likelihood that renewal, confirmation or update emails will go to spam if you do not complete this step.

Logging In

Visit the Online Parking Portal homepage.

  • If you have never purchased a parking permit from the City of Boulder, you will need to create a new account, by clicking 'login' and then clicking 'register.'
  • If you have purchased a parking permit in the past with our previous software, please enter the email associated with your account and select ‘forgot password.’ Then create a new password to access our new customer portal. Please check that all your current permits are active and tied to the correct vehicle information.
  • Whether logging into the new portal with existing information or creating an account for the first time, please ensure your contact information is correct. To ensure a smooth process, please select your correct address from the drop-down menu that will appear when you begin typing in your information. If you try to override the address bar, the system may not recognize your address as valid.

Our team is available to assist with any issues you may encounter via phone or email.

Request a permit or apply for a wait list

You will need to be approved before your purchase/application goes through.

The approval process varies slightly depending on the type of permit you are requesting. The portal has instructions and details on what is needed for the type of permit or wait list you are applying for.

Should you have questions about any requirements, please contact our team and we are happy to help.

Purchasing your permit(s)

You will receive an email from noreply@bouldercolorado.gov that will notify you if your permit request has been approved.

  • A response will be sent within two business days.
  • Please make sure to check your junk/spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox.

Once you've been approved, you will be able to log in and see your active digital permit(s) by clicking 'Permits.'

Managing account information

You can access and update your account information by clicking 'Account' - 'Contact Information' - 'Edit.' To make changes to your vehicle information, please select 'Vehicles.'

Construction & Event Parking Permits

In areas with metered & pay station parking:

  • All permits should be activated within our online portal during construction, media events, and special activities and be within proximity of the event but for no more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period.
  • Special activities include: weddings, funerals, bus loading and mobile medical facilities.

Digital Permits:

  • Are only issued in areas with pay stations and meters
  • Do not reserve a parking space
  • Allow for prepaid parking beyond a posted maximum time limit
  • Must be active within our online portal during the hours of use

Signs:

  • Are only issued in areas with pay stations and meters
  • Secure a specific parking space, series of spaces, or an entire block
  • Must be posted 24 hours in advance of project or event in paid spaces, and 72 hours in non-paid areas. Signs must remain posted through the project or event.
  • Must be used in conjunction with digital permit(s)
  • Sign Front(s) - Reserved area must be clearly stated
    Sign Back(s) - Initials, date, and time posted
  • Must be attached to existing City of Boulder street poles with string, wire, or plastic ties (not tape) and posted as to be seen by an ordinarily observant person
  • Must not prohibit use or visibility of any pay station or meter.

Hoods:

  • Secure a specific parking space or series of spaces in areas where single space meters exist
  • Cannot be used at ½ hour or accessible parking meters
  • Customer must provide padlock(s) to fasten onto pole(s).

Fees

All products may be issued on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and should be used during the hours that meters are enforced. Hours are 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday - Saturday.

  • Digital Permits: $15.00-$25.00/day
  • Signs: $1.00/ sign (with purchase of Digital Permits)
  • Hoods: $15.00-$25.00/day. A $50 deposit/Hood is required.

Deposits are refunded if Hood resembles condition when issued; and within five business days after expiration of permit. Deposits will not be refunded due to loss or damage of Hood.

If parking issues occur, please contact 303-413-7300, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All other times: 303-441-3333

Resources

Related Documents

CAGID Parking Products Jan. 2024 pdf

Related Services