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.

Purchase Student Parking

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.

On this page:

Current Sales

  • Discounted daily permits are available in specific lots based on daily availability. Log into the online services portal to view current options.
  • Fall/Academic year sale is open.

Upcoming Sales

  • Spring sale will open the week of January 8.
    • The sale is based on cumulative hours, as determined by the registrar.

Enrollment Status

Sale Opens at 10 a.m. (MT)

Graduates/Veterans

Monday, January 8

Seniors 90+ credit hours

Tuesday, January 9

Juniors 60–89.99 credit hours

Wednesday, January 10

Sophomores 30–59.99 credit hours

Off-Campus Freshmen (0–29.99 credit hours)

Thursday, January 11

Freshmen (Residence Hall) & Non-degree seeking students 0–29.99 credit hours

Friday, January 12

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.

  1. IdentiKey username and password.
  2. Vehicle make and license plate number. (Example: Toyota CO plate ABC123)
  3. 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.
  4. 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 waiting list. Waiting 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. Waiting 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.

    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. 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.