Press Release
City of Aspen to Resume Paid Parking June 1
Transition to paid parking includes discounted rates and some free parking zones
Contact: Mitch Osur, Director of Parking and Downtown Services, 970-429-1766 or mitch.osur@cityofaspen.com
ASPEN, CO. – May 20, 2020 – The City of Aspen is resuming paid parking in the downtown core beginning Monday, June 1 at 10 a.m. at reduced rates. A 2$ per hour rate will be charged from 10-11 a.m. and 3 – 6 p.m. and $4 per hour from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sundays are free to park downtown. For those who can park outside of the core, parking will be free in the parking garage and in all residential zones.
The City of Aspen was pleased to encourage a free parking policy during the height of COVID-19 to offer options to those who could not safety take public transit and to encourage economic activity in town. In addition, parking fees support public transit, which is a valued service in our community.
“We are already seeing a big increase in traffic coming into town,” said Mitch Osur, Director of Parking and Downtown Services. “Now that there is economic activity happening in Aspen, from retail and take-out to construction, the downtown core is getting busier and we are seeing fewer vacant parking spots available. With more RFTA service online, we want to ensure that the City has parking available for those seeking to do business downtown.”
Lately, there has been an average of 550 cars parked in the core at 1 p.m. with an overall capacity of 682 vehicles. As more businesses open, these spots are integral to customer turnovers.
In addition to free parking at the garage and in residential zones, there is 15-minute free parking available at the meters. Because there is free parking in residential zones, no carpool permits are needed.
Parking is enforced downtown Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
City staff will review the parking and transit data on June 20 and update the community on changes that would begin July 1. Regular parking rates are $4 in the early morning and evenings and $6 in the middle of the day. The reduced rates that begin June 1 are a continuation of the effort to promote economic activity downtown.
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