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Mobility Services | Estes Parking

Parking for Estes Park Residents & Visitors

As part of the Town of Estes Park's Mobility Services, the Estes 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 (mid-October through May) is free, but a permit is required for overnight parking. See below for general parking information, all parking permit options, and resources on the Town's seasonal paid parking program that runs Memorial Day through mid-October each year. The 2023 paid parking season runs from May 26 through October 22.

Download the 2023 Parking Map (English version)

Download the 2023 Parking Map (Spanish version)

To learn about transportation options provided by the Town of Estes Park, please visit The Peak (formerly Estes Transit) webpage.

Join the 2023 Park-n-Walk Challenge

The Town is pleased to offer the Park-n-Walk Challenge again this summer! 

Every time you park in the Town's free parking structure (691 N. St. Vrain; pictured above) this summer (between May 26 and October 22), you will receive an entry for that month's Challenge sweepstakes prize. For example, if you park in the parking structure 15 times in the month of June (June 1-30), you will have 15 entries total in the June sweepstakes. Each month from June through October, Town staff will draw a monthly winner for a prize pack valued at $150. All prizes will be purchased from local businesses. 

Register for the 2023 Park-n-Walk Challenge.

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 seven 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 Avenue (4 spaces)
  • Estes Park Visitor Center: 500 Big Thompson Avenue (4 spaces)

Tour Bus Drivers: A driver's lounge is available at the Visitor Center for all commercially-operated tour bus drivers. Please call the Estes Park Visitor Center at 970-577-9900 for more information about lounge hours and amenities.

Where to Charge an Electric Vehicle

The Parking & Transit Division, in partnership with Estes Park Power & Communications, 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. Overnight parking permits are required throughout the year. The full menu of parking permits for the 2023 paid parking season (May 26-October 22) is also featured below for renewal or purchase. 

Download the 2023 Parking Map (English version)

Download the 2023 Parking Map (Spanish version)

Town parking permits are governed by Public Works Policy 842. Overnight parking is allowed by permit only (see overnight options below) and is monitored by the Estes Park Police Department.

Local Permit

Eligibility: This free permit is available to all locals who reside in the Estes Park School District.

Price: $0

Options for Permit Renewal or Registration

Those who registered for this permit in 2021 or 2022 have been automatically renewed for the 2023 permit. Permits are issued based on license plate numbers only, so windshield stickers are no longer issued; customers with a change of vehicle information (at any point in time) should update their permit account accordingly. 

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.comPlease provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.

Required Documentation

Email proof of residency (e.g., utility bill, pay stub, lease agreement, vehicle registration, or other document showing name and address) to epinfo@thecarpark.com. 

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

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.comPlease 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: Temporary Guest Pass

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

Complete online

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: 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

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.comPlease 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: 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 Renewal or Purchase

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.comPlease provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.

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

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

Complete online

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 Convenience Permit

Eligibility: Anyone who owns or works in a downtown business or property is eligible to purchase this permit.

Price: $40 per permit

Options for Permit Renewal or Registration

Beginning this 2023 season, discounts are available for those who purchase five or more Employee Convenience permits. 

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.comPlease provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle.

Required Documentation

License plate information and proof of employment in the downtown core, as defined by the Town of Estes Park's Commercial Downtown (CD) zoning district. Proof of employment is a pay stub or W-2 (please black out personal information). Permit is digitally tied to license plate information and no physical permit shall be issued. 

For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842

Seasonal Paid Parking Resources

The following resources have the latest information about seasonal paid parking in Estes Park:

2023 Seasonal Paid Parking Reports

May 15-21, 2023

May 22-28, 2023

May 29-June 4, 2023

June 5-11, 2023

June 12-18, 2023

June 19-25, 2023

June 26-July 2, 2023

July 3-9, 2023

July 10-16, 2023

July 17-23, 2023

July 24-30, 2023

July 31-August 6

August 7-13, 2023

August 14-20, 2023

August 21-27, 2023

August 28-September 3, 2023

September 4-10, 2023

2022 Seasonal Paid Parking Reports

May 30 - June 5, 2022

June 6 - 12, 2022

June 13 -19, 2022

June 20-26, 2022

July 4-10, 2022

July 11-17, 2022

July 18-24, 2022

July 25-31, 2022

2022 Mid-Season Update on Paid Parking

August 1-7, 2022

August 8-14, 2022

August 15-21, 2022

August 22-28, 2022

August 29-September 4, 2022

September 5-11, 2022

September 12-18, 2022

September 19-25, 2022

September 26-October 2, 2022

October 3-9, 2022

2021 Seasonal Paid Parking Reports

Memorial Day Weekend (May 28-May 31, 2021)

May 31 - June 6, 2021

June 7 - June 13, 2021

June 14 - June 20, 2021

June 21 - June 27, 2021

June 28 - July 4, 2021

July 5 - July 11, 2021

July 12 - July 18, 2021

July 19 - July 25, 2021

July 26 - August 1, 2021

JULY END OF MONTH

August 2 - August 8, 2021

August 9 - August 15, 2021

August 16 - August 22, 2021

August 23 - August 29, 2021

August 30 - September 5, 2021

September 6 - 12, 2021

AUGUST END OF MONTH

September 13 - 19, 2021

September 20 - 26, 2021

September 27 - October 3, 2021

SEPTEMBER END OF MONTH

October 4 - October 10, 2021

October 11 - October 17, 2021

OCTOBER END OF MONTH

 

 

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.