FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The City of Fort Collins is moving forward with updates to how parking is managed in the downtown area to ensure the system remains accessible, efficient and financially sustainable.

Downtown Fort Collins currently operates with a free, time-limited on-street parking model paired with paid garage parking. This “upside-down” pricing structure makes garages less attractive for long-term use while the most convenient on-street spaces are free. The result is increased congestion and a perception that parking is hard to find, while Parking Services remains dependent on City General Fund contributions to cover maintenance and operations—a model that is not sustainable long-term.

To address these challenges, the City partnered with Walker Consultants and the Downtown Development Authority to complete the Parking Services Optimization Study. The study analyzed parking supply, demand and financial conditions downtown, and identified strategies to improve customer experience, reduce congestion and establish a self-sustaining funding model for parking operations and maintenance – including:

• Expanding paid parking
• Expanding parking enforcement hours
• Improving parking options and wayfinding downtown
• Improving employee and commuter parking options downtown
• Restructuring the City’s Residential Permit Parking Program (RP3) zones

“Our goal is to create a parking system that is simple, fair and sustainable,” City of Fort Collins Parking Services Senior Manager Eric Keselburg said. “These updates will help make downtown parking more reliable for visitors and businesses, while ensuring that those who use the system are the ones who pay for it.”

The City’s goals for the updated system include:

• Supporting a vibrant and active downtown economy
• Improving the customer experience and providing options for both short- and long-term parkers
• Establishing a financially self-sustaining parking system that reduces reliance on the City’s General Fund
• Ensuring the City’s parking program aligns and integrates with the City’s Transportation Demand Management program

What’s Next

City staff are preparing to share details of potential updates, including timelines and implementation steps, later this year in community open house events and focused engagement with downtown business owners and stakeholders. Community members will have opportunities to learn more and share feedback, with updates posted on the City’s website at fcgov.com/parkingupdates.

Timeline

• Fall-Winter 2025-2026: Community information and engagement opportunities.
• 2026: City Council consideration of recommendations, vote and phased implementation (if passed).

For more information and to stay updated on this project, visit fcgov.com/parkingupdates.

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