Parking for Estes Park Residents & Visitors
The Town of Estes Park's parking program strives to provide a variety of public parking options to meet the needs of residents and visitors.
Parking downtown during the off-season (late October through late May) is free, but a permit is always required for overnight parking. See below for general parking information, parking permit options, and resources on the Town's seasonal paid parking program that runs from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October each year. The 2024 paid parking season runs from May 24 through October 20, and registration information for seasonal parking permits is featured below under Parking Permit Options. As a reminder, Local Permit accounts are automatically renewed each year; no action is necessary unless there has been a change of vehicle/plate information.
To learn about transportation options provided by the Town of Estes Park, please visit The Peak (formerly Estes Transit) webpage.
General Information About Parking in Estes Park
- How to Pay a Parking Citation
There are two ways to pay a parking citation:
- Deposit fine amount in the envelope that accompanied the citation. Affix postage and mail to: The Car Park, PO Box 2285, Estes Park, CO 80517. Checks can be made out to The Car Park. Please do NOT mail cash.
- Pay online.
If a citation is paid within 14 days of issuance, the citation fine will be reduced from $50 to $25. The reduction does not apply to citations issued for violations pertaining to spaces reserved for persons with disabilities or for Electric Vehicles.
If you wish to dispute a citation, or think you have received a citation in error, please contact The Car Park at 970-591-2577 or online (enter violation information and click "Appeal" on the following screen).
- Where to Park a Car, Truck or SUV
The Town has 18 unique parking areas that are available for public use throughout the core of downtown, as well as in one parking structure located at 691 North St. Vrain Ave and US Hwy 36.
From mid-October through late May, all public parking areas are free of charge and without time limits. Overnight parking is allowed by permit only and is monitored by the Estes Park Police Department.
- Where to Park an RV, Trailer or Bus
Parking for larger vehicles is available at the following locations:
- Events Complex Park-n-Ride: 1125 Rooftop Way (20 spaces)
- Town Hall/Library Parking Lot: 335 E. Elkhorn Ave (4 spaces)
- Estes Park Visitor Center: 500 Big Thompson Ave (4 spaces)
Tour Bus Drivers: A driver's lounge is available at the Visitor Center for all commercially-operated tour bus drivers. For information about lounge hours and amenities, please call the Estes Park Visitor Center at 970-577-9900.
- Where to Charge an Electric Vehicle
The Parking & Transit Division, in partnership with the Town's Power & Communications Division, is proud to provide several Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations around downtown Estes Park. Charging station locations and use instructions can be found here.
Parking Permit Options
The Town offers a variety of annual and seasonal parking permits for locals, business owners and employees, downtown residents, and downtown rental property owners. The 2024 paid parking season runs from May 24 through October 20, and registration information for seasonal parking permits is featured below. As a reminder, Local Permit accounts are automatically renewed each year; no action is necessary unless there has been a change of vehicle/plate information. Throughout the year, overnight parking is allowed by permit only (see Overnight Permit options below) and is monitored by the Estes Park Police Department.
Town parking permits are governed by Public Works Policy 842, which features details on the types and eligibility of all parking permits.
- Local 120 Minutes Free
Eligibility: This free permit is available to those residing within the Estes Park R3 School District.
Price: Free
Permit Renewal
Current Local Permit holders (residents of the Estes Park R3 School District who registered in 2023 or before) were automatically renewed for 2024 and will receive a welcome email from The Car Park. This email will contain instructions on how to manage your permit, vehicle, and contact details. Current Local Permit holders do not need to take action unless they have changed vehicles, would like to add a new vehicle to their account, or have a different license plate. Permits continue to be issued based on license plate numbers, so windshield stickers are no longer issued or needed.
New Permit Registration
Register by contacting The Car Park local team at epinfo@thecarpark.com or 970-591-2577. Please provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.
Required Documentation
Proof of residency (utility bill, pay stub, lease agreement, vehicle registration, or other document showing name and address).
For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.
- Overnight Permit: Downtown Resident
Eligibility: Downtown Resident permits are only available to those who can demonstrate proof of downtown residency AND do not have access to private parking.
Price: $35 per permit, per year
Options for Permit Renewal or Purchase
Call 970-591-2577
Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. Please provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.
Required Documentation
Permit is digitally tied to license plate information and no physical permit shall be issued.
For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.
- Overnight Permit: Downtown Rental Unit / Commercial Lodging
Eligibility: Downtown Rental Unit / Commercial Lodging permits are only available to those who own, operate or manage a rental unit/hotel room/lodging property downtown AND do not have access to private parking (or reasonably adequate private parking).
Price: $40 per permit, per year
Options for Permit Renewal or Purchase
Call 970-591-2577
Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. Please provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.
Required Documentation
Registration requires proof of business license. License plate information is not required. A printable permit will be emailed for guests to display in their vehicle. Email a copy of the Town of Estes Park Business License to epinfo@thecarpark.com
For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.
- Overnight Permit: General Use
Price: $10 per permit, per night (for up to seven nights)
Location: Estes Park Events Complex (1125 Rooftop Way). Parking is only permitted in specific, signed areas. No overnight camping is permitted on Town-owned property per Public Works Overnight Parking Policy 841.
Options for Purchase
Overnight permits can be purchased using the ParkMobile application (available for Apple or Android). The ParkMobile Zone # is 27001. Users without a smart phone may call 877-727-5951 to pay. Advanced reservations are NOT necessary; simply park and pay.
Questions? Call The Car Park at 970-591-2577 or email epinfo@thecarpark.com
For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.
- Overnight Permit: Temporary Guest Permit
Eligibility: Downtown residents who do not have adequate off-street parking may apply for a temporary permit for overnight guest use in a designated parking lot. This permit authorizes a vehicle to park between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. for up to seven nights.
Price: $0 per permit
Options for Permit Renewal or Registration
Call 970-591-2577
Request by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. Please provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.
Required Documentation
Permit is digitally tied to license plate information and no physical permit shall be issued.
For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.
- Overnight Permit: Parking Structure
Eligibility: Overnight permits are only available to those who register their vehicle(s) in advance.
Price: $0 per permit, per night (for up to seven nights)
Options for Permit Purchase
Call 970-591-2577
Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. Please provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.
For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.
- Business Permit: Commercial Loading
Eligibility: Anyone who works or conducts business in the downtown core (as defined by the Town of Estes Park’s Commercial Downtown (CD) zoning district) is eligible to purchase this permit. It is valid only for marked commercial or business vehicles; not for use on unmarked personal vehicles. The vehicle displaying this permit must be actively loading or unloading people and/or goods.
Price: $80 per permit
Options for Permit Renewal or Purchase
Call 970-591-2577
Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. Please provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.
Required Documentation
Registration requires proof of business license and license plate information. Email a copy of the Town of Estes Park Business License to epinfo@thecarpark.com. Permit is digitally tied to license plate information and no physical permit shall be issued.
For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.
- Employee Permit: Convenience Permit
Anyone who owns a business or property and/or works in the Estes Park downtown core is eligible to purchase this permit, which is valid for the entire paid parking season.
Price: $40 per permit
Options for Permit Renewal or Registration
Call 970-591-2577
Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. Please provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.
For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.
- Volunteer Permit
This permit is available to any business, organization, or governmental entity that offers uncompensated employment or volunteer opportunities in the Estes Park downtown core during the paid parking season. Register by contacting The Car Park local team at epinfo@thecarpark.com or 970-591-2577.
For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.
Paid Parking Season Resources
The following resources have the latest information about seasonal paid parking in Estes Park:
- Estacionamiento Pago de Temporada 2021: Preguntas Frecuentes
- Parking Pay Station Instructional Video
- Mobile Payment Instructional Video
- Seasonal Paid Parking Background & Planning Process
- Parking Data Reports. The Car Park, the Town's professional parking operator, prepares a weekly summary of parking data during the summer paid parking season. This data measures both revenue and occupancy. Summer reports can be accessed by selecting the year tab below. Parking data for the winter/off-season is monitored through monthly activity reports. Winter/off-season reports are available upon request by contacting The Car Park at 970-591-2577 or epinfo@thecarpark.com.
- 2023 Seasonal Paid Parking Reports
- 2022 Seasonal Paid Parking Reports
- 2021 Seasonal Paid Parking Reports
Memorial Day Weekend (May 28-May 31, 2021)
September 27 - October 3, 2021
Share Your Thoughts
Feedback is important to our team, so comments and suggested improvements are always welcome online, by phone at 970-591-2577, or by email to epinfo@thecarpark.com.