Student Parking
Students can purchase a lot-specific, semester/academic year permit or can use the online portal to purchase a lot-specific daily pass. Permits for a full semester or academic year must be purchased during the designated sale dates detailed below.
Check out the CU Boulder parking map to see student parking lots.
If you require ADA accommodation, please email your ADA placard’s registration to parkingpermits@colorado.edu. If you have not yet applied for a state-issued ADA placard, email your request for accommodation to parkingpermits@colorado.edu.
Current Sales
- Log into the online services portal to view current options available in specific lots.
- Discounted daily permits
- Daily evening permits
- Long Term Off Peak permits
- Summer permits and Waiting Lists
| Enrollment Status | Sale Opens at 10 a.m. (MT) |
|---|---|
| All Students | Monday, May 5 |
The Fall and Academic Year parking permit online sale will open to students based on their completed credit hours[2] per the campus Registrar's cumulative hours. All permit sales open at 10:00 a.m. (MT). As the sale opens for each student, campus residents will select from available residential lots and commuters will select from available commuter lots.
| Enrollment Status | Sale Opens at 10 a.m. (MT) |
| Graduate and Veteran | Monday, July 28 |
| Senior | Tuesday, July 29 |
| Junior | Wednesday, July 29 |
| Sophomore and off campus Freshman | Thursday, July 31 |
| Freshman and all others | Friday, August 1 |
[2]To verify credit hours:
- Check Your Enrollment Status to verify your completed credit hours on the Buff Portal. If you have questions related to your student record, please email: registrar@colorado.edu.
- IdentiKey username and password.
- Vehicle make and license plate number. (Example: Toyota CO plate ABC123)
- A lot number (or numbers) in which you would like to park. Parking is lot-specific and you will only be able to purchase parking in one lot.
- A payment option: Payment may be made by (1) credit card or by applying it to the (2) student tuition and fee bill.
Important Details About Your Parking
Instead of hanging tags or stickers, CU uses Lincense Plate Recognition (LPR) technology to verify your parking access. Please confirm that your license plate information is correctly associated with your permit before you park. Changes can be made in the online services portal, by email at parking@colorado.edu, or by phone at 303-735-7275.
If you are unable to obtain parking access and would like to be alerted to available parking, you must place yourself on a wait list. Wait lists will be available for sign-up as lots sell out. If you need to park a vehicle, you should also purchase a permit for an available lot. You will be contacted if spaces become available in the waitlisted lot. You must respond to the email by the stated deadline in order to claim the offer. If no response is received, the space will be offered to the next person on the list. Wait lists are deleted at the end of each semester. Because of limited parking availability, Parking Services encourages alternate options for getting to and around campus.
Other Things to Note
Academic Year, Fall and Spring
Academic year, fall and spring parking permits are valid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in their assigned lot. Due to space constraints, you may only have one lot assigned at a time. Fall and Academic Year permits include access during winter break at no additional cost.
Cancel Your Parking
You may cancel your parking at any time for a prorated refund. Backdated refunds will not be processed. If you do not specify a date for cancellation, we will use the timestamp of your email.
Multiple Vehicles
You may register multiple vehicles, but only one vehicle may be parked in the lot at a time. You may manage your vehicles online, by emailing parking@colorado.edu, or by calling 303-735-7275.
Off-peak Parking
Off-peak parking is valid Monday through Friday, 3 p.m.-9 a.m. the following day, and all-day Saturday and Sunday. Off-peak parking may be purchased in addition to, or instead of, academic year, fall or spring parking.
Outstanding Citations
Outstanding citations, older than 14 days and linked to an active student account, will automatically be transferred to student bursar accounts to avoid late fees and the potential booting of your vehicle. All outstanding citations must be paid before a permit can be purchased.
Parking Lot Closures
Parking Services may need to close lots for events and/or maintenance. We will communicate these closures, and provide parking alternatives by email. Be sure to check your email and to keep your contact information up to date. Vehicles must be able to be moved within 72 hours of a notification of closure. Please contact customer service if you plan on leaving your vehicle in your lot for an extended period. Should your vehicle need to be relocated for a closure, you will be responsible for any relocation cost.
Tips for Commuting Without Your Car
It is possible to get around Boulder (and campus) without a car. Please visit our short-term parking and getting around campus webpages for information on pay-to-park and sustainable transportation options.
- Bus: Use RTD's Trip-Planner and/or RTD Park-n-Rides to make busing more feasible, and download the Transit app to get real-time bus info.
- Car and bike shares: Use Colorado Carshare, Zipcar and Boulder B-cycle to get around town without your car. Memberships are either free or significantly price reduced for CU affiliates.