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Estes Parking

Parking Information 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 required year-round for overnight parking. See below for parking information, parking permit options, and general resources about the seasonal paid parking program that runs from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October each year. The 2024 paid parking season concluded on October 20.

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

Each month from June through October, the Town’s parking program monitors use of the parking structure and randomly draws a Park-n-Walk Challenge winner from registered license plates. The announcement to register is published in May. Monthly winners enjoy a rewarding prize pack that encourages parking and walking during Estes Park's busiest months. Expect prizes from a wide variety of local businesses—car washes, movie tickets, restaurant and activity gift cards, cash, and more!

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).

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.

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.

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 on the Town's Electric Vehicle Parking & Charging Station webpage.

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 concluded on October 20. 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.

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) are automatically renewed each year, and will receive an acknowledgment/welcome email each spring from The Car Park. This email contains 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

Registration opens each spring. At the time of registration, please plan to 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.

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

At the time of registration, please plan to provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle. 

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. 

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.

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

At the time of registration, please plan to provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle. 

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. 

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.

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.

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

At the time of registration, please plan to provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle. 

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com.

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.

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

At the time of registration, please plan to provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle. 

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. 

For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842.

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

At the time of registration, please plan to provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle. 

Complete online

Call 970-591-2577

Request to purchase by emailing epinfo@thecarpark.com. 

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. 

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. The 2024 paid parking season concluded on October 20.

Price: $40 per permit

Options for Permit Renewal or Registration

Registration opens each spring. At the time of registration, please plan to provide name, phone number, address, and make/model/color/year/license plate for each vehicle. 

Required Documentation

Registration requires proof of employment or of conducting business in the downtown core. Permit is digitally tied to license plate information and no physical permit shall be issued. 

For more information, please see Public Works Policy 842. 

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. Registration opens each spring. 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:

Share Your Thoughts

Feedback matters! Please share comments and suggested improvements online, by phone at 970-591-2577, or by email to epinfo@thecarpark.com.

Town of Estes Park, Colorado:  Contact Us  | Digital Accessibility Statement  |  ADA Accessibility  |  Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan  |  Policies

The Town of Estes Park is committed to providing equitable access to our services to all Coloradans. Our ongoing accessibility effort works towards being in line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA criteria. We welcome comments on how to improve this website’s accessibility for users with disabilities and for requests for accommodations to any Town of Estes Park services. Please submit questions via email.

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