Last Updated on September 14, 2021 by Snezana Grcak
The capital of Colorado is a metropolis best known for outstanding cultural attractions, a fiery music scene, and exciting sports activities. Whether you’re a Denver resident or plan on visiting the city, expanding your knowledge of city parking rules and regulations is a must. If you’re a careful driver who wishes to steer clear of parking fines, Parking Access has a few suggestions for you. Have you already got a Denver parking ticket? Don’t sweat it—this guide will provide information on Denver parking violations and help you dispute a parking citation!
Our helpful tips can assist you in fighting parking infractions in the City of Denver, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Boston!
Denver Street Parking
Whether you wish to explore the city and check out its attractions or maybe plan on moving to Denver, you have to retain the latest street parking information.
The city offers plenty of metered parking spaces! Each meter has its operation hours and rates posted, and time limits and prices vary depending on location. An average street parking rate in Denver is $1 per hour, while a usual time limit is 2 hours. This depends on the location, though, so don’t forget to check the posted signs.
Plan to leave your vehicle in a street parking spot during the night? Note that the city charges for overnight parking, too! Here are the hourly parking rates determined by Denver Parking Violations Bureau:
| Duration | Parking Cost |
| 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM | $1.00 per hour |
| 2:00 AM – 6:00 AM | $0.50 per hour |
| 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Free |
Free parking is available at all meter spots on Sundays and national holidays, including:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
If you’re going to Denver to check out a Colorado Rockies game, Denver Nuggets match, or another thrilling sporting event, we have a better idea than looking for a street spot. Go through our in-depth parking guides to Coors Field and Ball Arena to find the best parking options in the area. Parking Access can also take you through the process of booking low-cost parking at Denver Airport—compare all the on-site and off-airport parking lots in a few clicks!
How To Avoid Getting a Denver Parking Ticket
If you’re struggling to understand the city parking regulations, we’re going to break them down and help you avoid parking infractions.
- Here are some of the most important Denver street parking rules you must follow:
- Park at least 2 feet away from other vehicles
- Allow for at least 10 feet when parking next to a fire hydrant
- Make sure your vehicle is at least 5 feet away from an alley or driveway
- Allow for at least 20 feet when parking next to a crosswalk
- Make sure you don’t block a sidewalk, driveway, or intersection
- Pay attention to the signs! For example, if you see a Street Sweeping sign, be sure not to park during the listed hours. The Loading Zone signs indicate that parking is allowed only for drivers who are (un)loading passengers or goods.
- Learn what each colored curb indicates:
- White—you can stop only to pick up or drop off passengers
- Yellow—loading or unloading zone
- Blue—disabled parking spaces
- Green—parking is limited, and the time limit is posted on a sign or curb
- Red—no parking allowed
- Another way of avoiding Denver parking violations is by using a public parking lot or garage in the area. Learn all about downtown parking facilities before you head to the city. Sites like SpotHero and ParkWhiz may come in handy, too.
- Use public transit instead of parking. RTD offers an improved mass transit system which is very affordable and useful for traveling around the city. Use the website for trip planning, fares, or schedules!
Already Got a Ticket? Can You Fight It?
If you got a Denver parking ticket, don’t fret about it right away—your ticket might be invalid! Read through the citation carefully and pay attention to the following details:
- Writing
- Date, time, and county
- Vehicle information, such as the plate number, vehicle color, model, etc.
- The position of your parked car and address
If any listed information is incorrect, you have a plausible reason to contest your Denver parking citation! Other reasons your ticket may be invalid are:
- Broken parking meter
- Faded or incorrect street signs
- You weren’t the owner of the car at the time
- Your vehicle was stolen
Whatever the reason is, you should appeal the ticket and possibly get your fine dismissed or at least reduced! We’re going to guide you through the process—see below for step-by-step instructions.
How To Contest a Denver Parking Ticket Successfully
Here’s what you need to do when you get a Denver parking ticket:
- Don’t leave the scene right away—use the opportunity to collect some evidence. Take a picture of your vehicle or a sign if it doesn’t provide accurate information. See if there’s anything that can help you in court before you head back home.
- Don’t pay the ticket—if you pay your ticket, you have no chance of contesting it later. So, if you wish to dispute the citation, you must take this step.
- File a dispute within 20 days of the ticket issuance date—to initiate the process, go to Dispute Citation System and enter your citation number, which is listed at the top of your ticket. After you type it in, click on Next and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can call Denver Parking Violations Bureau at 866-280-9988.
- Attend the hearing—In case they request a hearing, be sure to get there well prepared and on time. Provide your side of the story, bring your evidence if you have any, and be respectful.
If you’re trying to find a way to speed up the process, turn to DoNotPay! The world’s first robot lawyer offers a painless way of fighting your Denver parking ticket—provide them with all the info, and the app will help you handle the case!
Pay Your Denver Parking Ticket
If your appeal was rejected, or you simply don’t want to deal with bureaucracy, the city gives you several ways to pay your Denver parking ticket:
- By phone—call Denver Parking Violations Bureau at 866-280-9988 and pay by a MasterCard, Visa, or Discover credit card
- Pay the ticket online—enter the citation number into this form and follow the steps to pay via credit card
- By mail—pay by check, and make sure you write down the citation number on it before mailing it to the following address: Parking Violations Bureau, P.O. Box 46500, Denver, Colorado 80201-6500
- In-Person—go to the Parking Cashier’s Office between 8 AM and 5 PM; it’s on the first floor of the Wellington Webb Building
The City of Denver—Parking in a Nutshell
Depending on the violation, Denver parking fines range from $25 to $75. The best way to avoid wasting that much money on parking tickets is by being careful and following our tips! So, pay attention to the signs and follow the rules or use public transportation and avoid parking altogether. You can also park in a public parking lot or garage—rates vary between $3 and $12. Finally, if you get a Denver parking ticket, be sure to take all the listed steps if you wish to dispute it successfully!