If you’ve tried parking in downtown Fort Collins on a Friday night, you know the frustration—circling the block, hoping someone pulls out before you give up. The truth is, our city has what consultants call an “upside-down parking model.” The most valuable spaces—right on College Avenue or near Old Town Square—are free. Meanwhile, the garages and lots that are less convenient cost money.
Last week, City Council held a work session to discuss the Downtown Parking Optimization Study, and big changes may be on the horizon as early as 2026.
Why the City is Looking at Paid Street Parking
Fort Collins manages 4,846 public parking spaces downtown, with about 3,149 on-street spaces and 1,697 in garages and lots. But here’s the problem:
- On-street spaces are packed, often exceeding 80–85% occupancy during peak times, which experts consider “unhealthy” for traffic flow.
- Parking garages, by contrast, rarely fill up beyond 60–70%, except during special events.
This creates congestion, frustration, and pollution as people “troll” around for free curbside parking instead of pulling into a garage.
What’s Being Proposed
The consultant’s recommendation is to flip the system:
- Metered on-street parking: $1.50–$2.00 per hour.
- Garage and lot rates: Slightly lower than street rates to encourage use.
- Time limits: Either eliminated or extended up to 4 hours.
- Hours of enforcement: Likely 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Councilmember Kelly Ohlson raised an important point: for affluent newcomers, paying $12 for six hours isn’t a big deal. To prevent someone from hogging a prime spot all day, he suggested a 4-hour cap.
The Business Owner Concern
One of the biggest fears is that paid parking could hurt downtown businesses. If it costs money to park, will people stop coming?
The data says otherwise. Peer cities like Manitou Springs and Idaho Springs actually saw downtown sales tax revenue increase after installing meters—232% and 41% increases, respectively.
So while the sticker shock of meters might feel concerning at first, the evidence shows people still come downtown, shop, and spend money.
Why Now?
Parking Services hasn’t raised garage rates since 2009, and many fines haven’t changed since 2003. During COVID, the system leaned on the City’s General Fund to stay afloat. Moving to a self-sustaining model means:
- Less reliance on taxpayer subsidies.
- More funds available for repairs and upgrades.
- Possible investments in bike, pedestrian, and micro-mobility infrastructure.
As staff put it: “If no one is paying for parking, then everyone is paying for parking.”
A Bigger Regional Picture
One other factor worth mentioning—visitors from outside the area are down. That could be because Northern Colorado is booming with alternatives like The Promenade Shops at Centerra, Scheels, downtown Loveland, and new mixed-use areas in Timnath. People who used to make a day trip to Old Town might now stay closer to home.
If Fort Collins wants to keep downtown competitive, smarter parking management is one piece of the puzzle.
What Happens Next
City Council appeared generally supportive of the shift toward paid on-street parking. The main questions now are about timing, implementation, and ensuring a fair system. City staff emphasized the importance of community engagement, with outreach to businesses and residents planned before final decisions are made.
Key Takeaways
- Expect metered parking downtown as early as 2026.
- Street parking will likely cost more per hour than garages, encouraging turnover.
- Peer cities show no loss in sales tax revenue, and in some cases, big gains.
- The goal is to create choice: quick access if you’re willing to pay more, or cheaper garage parking if you’re staying longer.
For residents and business owners, the message is clear: change is coming, but it’s designed to make downtown Fort Collins more accessible—not less.