Aspen increases parking rates beginning Feb. 16

The city of Aspen will be increasing its parking rates beginning Feb. 16, per an Aspen City Council decision.

According to a press release, the increases are aimed at encouraging higher parking turnover, creating more accessible parking for shoppers and diners in the downtown core, and supporting the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from single-occupant vehicle trips. This is the first fee adjustment since 2018, according to the release. 

Peak season rates will be $5 per hour from 10 to 10:59 a.m., $7 per hour from 11 a.m. to 2:59 p.m., and back to $5 per hour from 3 to 5:59 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Sundays will be free. The city considers peak season to be January through March, June through September, and December.

Off season rates will be $3 per hour from 10 to 10:59 a.m., $5 per hour from 11 a.m. to 2:59 p.m., and $3 per hour from 3 to 5:59 p.m.

Residential day passes will be available for $9 per day Monday through Friday, with free parking on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. 

Carpool permits will be available for drivers with three or more occupants of driving age. Those can be collected at the carpool kiosk on the right-hand side of the Brush Creek Park & Ride parking lot. Permits will be valid in Aspen residential zones A, B, C, D, or E, but not in the downtown core. 

The five zones can be found on the city of Aspen’s webpage.

To promote turnover, vehicles will be limited to a maximum of four hours of parking per license plate per day. 

The Rio Grande Parking Garage will also see rate increases. The first 30 minutes will remain free. Between 30 minutes and an hour, parking at the garage will cost $3; between one and two hours, it will cost $6; between two and three hours, it will cost $9. The daily limit will be $15 after three hours. 

Discount passes for the parking garage will be available and refillable at the parking department. Individuals can purchase these passes on a per exit basis or per day, according to the Aspen Parking Department, meaning cost will be charged every time a vehicle leaves the parking garage or, if the vehicle does not leave during the day, the vehicle will be charged for the day. 

There will be $7 discount passes per exit or day. Individuals can purchase passes in quantities of one, 10, or 20 exits or days. 

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Electric vehicles will be required to pay for parking in all residential zones, and drivers using chargers will be required to pay for charging and parking. Parking rates at EV chargers are determined by the zone in which they are located. 

For more information and questions regarding parking rates or permits, go to aspen.gov/Parking.