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.

Downtown Boulder Garages are Gateless!

After 46 years of service, the downtown garage gates have been retired. On Oct. 1, 2023, the City of Boulder downtown garages transitioned to a fully gateless system that allows seamless access without waiting in long lines. Once you've registered the first time, you'll never need to stop to pay. Simply drive in and drive out to start and end your parking session.

Welcome to remarkably simple parking. Metropolis gateless parking system drive in and drive out.

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-$2.00.

    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-$2.00 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
    City of Boulder parking pricing changes map, showing affected high-demand areas of downtown

    City of Boulder pricing changes parking map effective April 3, 2023

    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." 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.

    Other ways to submit your appeal

    You may submit a parking ticket appeal form (opens in a new window).

    1. Mail
      • Boulder Municipal Court
        Violations Bureau
        PO Box 8015
        Boulder, CO 80306
    2. Drop In
      • 1777 Sixth St.
        Boulder, CO 80302
    3. Drop Box
      • Located across the street from the Justice Center on Sixth Street and is checked daily.

    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.

    Denied appeals

    If your parking appeal is denied, you have the right to request to set your case for trial.

    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.

    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 here 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. ​

    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 3 downtown surface lots. Permits are only available for employees of CAGID (Downtown). Lot Permits are currently $278 per quarter. Currently all surface lots are waitlisted.

    Downtown & Surface Lots application forms:

    Purchase, refill, renew

    1. Online

      The easiest way to manage your permits is through the City of Boulder online parking portal

    2. Email or phone

    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, 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 both Ticket_Response@bouldercolorado.gov and Ticket_Receipt@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 "create one" at the top of the page.
    • If you have purchased a parking permit in the past, but never used the portal, please contact our Customer Service team and you will be provided with temporary login credentials.
    • If you have used the portal before, but have forgotten your password, please click the "Retrieve your account information" link at the top of the login page.

    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 being able to purchase a parking permit or apply for a wait list.

    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 Ticket_Response@bouldercolorado.gov that will notify you if your permit request has been approved.

    • A response will be sent within 2 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 purchase your permit by clicking "Get Permits". Please read the on-screen instructions carefully.

    Managing account info and third parties

    You can access your account information by clicking on your name in the upper-right hand corner of the screen and then clicking "Manage Your Account Information"

    • To update your address or phone number, you will need to contact the customer service team.
    • You may add a new address or phone number at any time.
    • You can remove and/or update your email address at any time.

    If you are a Third Party customer, see the quick reference guide on functionality.

    Construction & Event Parking Permits

    In areas with metered & pay station parking:

    • All permits should be displayed 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.

    Dash 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 properly and visibly displayed on the passenger side of the front dashboard of the vehicle at all times

    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 dash 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.

    • Dash Permits: $15/day
    • Signs: $1.00/ sign (with purchase of Dash Permits)
    • Hoods: $15/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

    Boulder Neighborhood Parking FAQs pdf
    Request for Parking Ticket Trial Form pdf
    CAGID Parking Products 2023 pdf
    Special Activity Parking Permit Application pdf
    Surface Lot Permit Application pdf

    Related Services