Parking FAQs
- Parking rules are in effect at all times.
- All lots require a permit or payment to park during the hours listed on lot signage. Be sure to read all signage for lot specific permit/payment requirements and hours.
- All lots are subject to special event or maintenance arrangements. Follow the directions of event staff on roadways and in parking lots and maintenance and/or event emails issued by Parking Services. Be sure to read any closure notifications that are posted at the entrance of lots.
- Any guest to campus can use their license plate to purchase parking in a visitor lot. Payment for parking is lot specific. Unused time is not transferable to another lot or vehicle. One day short term permits can be purchased through the parking portal for $10 per day.
- If in doubt, contact Parking Services Customer Service Specialists @ 303-735-7275, for further information.
- Parking Services works with Campus Planning to suggest additional parking supply to meet the needs associated with any new buildings.
- Both the Campus Master Plan and Transportation Master Plan include the construction of additional parking facilites as other campus facilites are built.
- The student permit sale dates are generally a few weeks before the start of the semester.
- Please check the Parking Services Student Permit webpage to find current and upcoming sale dates and times.
- The sales are based on cumulative hours, as determined by the Registrar. Plase see the Student Permit webpage for more information.
Some reasons could be:
- You are not registered for classes
- Sale has not opened yet
- It is not your correct sale date
- Student permits are sold out
- Add your name to a waitlist in the parking portal. You will be contacted by email if/when lot(s) become available.
- Purchase discounted one day permits for the days needed through the student portal up to eight days in advance.
- Pay to park on campus for the time needed.
- Carpool with someone that has a campus permit/split the cost.
- Consider purchasing a Parking Services Off Peak permit.
- Alternative transportation to campus.
- Bus and Bike Share
- Park at a Park-n-Ride and ride a bus to campus. (Use RTD’s Trip Planner to pre-plan your bus commute from your residence or Park-n-Ride to campus.)
- Contact the City of Boulder about availability of a city parking permit.
- Partner with the Parking Liaison in your department to apply for a monthly recurring permit. It generally takes two to four weeks for to process applications once received. If you need to start parking immediately, contact Customer Service at 303-735-7275 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to purchase a thirty day permit. You will be notified when your application has been processed.
- Parking Services uses your license plate to verify your parking. Parking is lot specific. Your employee permit will only grant you access to one lot.
- One-day permits are available for $5 per day and can be purchased in the online portal up to 30 days in advance. These permits are not refundable.
- Log into the parking portal with your IdentiKey to purchase a temporary permit. Daily permits are available for select lots and can be purchased up to eight days in advance. Please have the vehicle license plate number, make and color information available as that information will be associated with the permit.
- Please contact Parking Services Customer Service Specialists at 303-735-7275. They will direct you to an alternative and add a note to your account to prevent you from receiving a ticket.
- If your lot is closed due to an event or maintenance please follow your emailed instructions issued by Parking Services.
- If you arrive after regular business hours or on weekends, email parking@colorado.edu.
- Visit the Event Parking webpage for information about sporting and cultural events.