Downtown Parking Management Updates

I oppose the proposal to move to paid street parking in Old Town Fort Collins. I, and I suspect, many others are less likely to shop and eat in Old Town if paid street parking is implemented. While the city seems to be looking at parking meters as away to boost revenue for the Parking Dept., they could have the undesirable effect of reducing downtown visitors and hence, reducing tax revenue from the city’s most important source. I understand that public comment is running 10 to 1 against the proposal and that downtown business owners are almost universally opposed. Please listen to your constituents and do not move forward with this proposal.

As a resident of north Fort Collins, I visit Old Town frequently for shopping and entertainment. I am opposed to the proposal to implement paid parking in Old Town. I think it will adversely affect the businesses in Old Town and will result in fewer people being willing to spend time in Old Town. Make smart changes to the parking garages instead.

As a resident of north Fort Collins (Northfield Subdivision), I oppose the proposal for paid parking in Old Town. I think it will affect the various businesses in Old Town with less revenue. It will negatively impact the number of people who visit Old Town including myself. Please leave the current parking as is.

Do NOT get rid of 2 hour free on-street parking. Getting rid of this option will discourage quick stops at downtown businesses and decrease traffic and enthusiasm for shopping at local downtown businesses. It decreases accessibility and adds barriers to supporting local enterprises. The free 1 hour parking in the garages is confusing and doesn’t always work, and as well as resulting in surprise costs to visitors, it also increases the amount of time a person would need to run quick errand, thereby increasing the chances that they will go over the allotted free time, and discouraging use of local businesses.

I strongly oppose installing meters and charging for parking in Old Town. This would change the character of Old Town and be detrimental to small businesses. I love all the unique businesses in Old Town and the City should be doing everything to support them, not harm them. I go into Old Town almost every day to grab a bite and that will probably not be the case if 2 hour free parking is eliminated.

In addition the cost to implement the meters is outrageous and how long would it take to break even on that cost?!

Enforce existing 2 hour limits and abandon the absurd parking warning practice. That is financially irresponsible and I never heard of a municipality warning drivers before fining them. Accurately collect the parking fees in garages.

It is also faulty logic that people just drive indefinitely looking for parking. There are garages so if there is nothing on the street garages are used.

Listen to the community and small businesses that make Old Town a wonderful place.

Please do not start charging for on-street parking. When I moved here from Houston, where there is no such thing as free parking, the option to park for a couple hours downtown for free was a huge breath of fresh air. It meant that I would actually go downtown! If downtown street parking becomes paid, I'll start going somewhere I can park for free. If you want to increase revenue and parking turnover, start writing actual tickets for people violating the two-hour window, and start enforcing garage fees. The locals that I know literally laugh in my face when I pay to park in the garages, because they know it's never enforced. Please do not ruin the old town experience for a short-term cash grab. The only winner there will be the parking meter vendor.

Dear Fort Collins City Council,

I oppose the proposed paid parking in Old Town.

Old Town’s success is built on accessibility and convenience. Free, time-limited parking already promotes turnover while keeping downtown welcoming to residents, families, and visitors. Adding hourly fees creates a barrier for quick visits and everyday use.

This will disproportionately impact small businesses that rely on spontaneous foot traffic. Even modest fees change behavior—people will choose easier, free alternatives.

As a parent, convenience matters. If stopping downtown becomes a hassle or added cost, families will go elsewhere.

This is a distribution issue, not a supply issue. The city already has garage capacity—policy should focus on better utilization, not penalizing convenient parking.

Fort Collins should not follow cities that have made downtown less accessible. Old Town works because it is easy to enjoy.

Please reject this proposal

Kind regards,

Rob & Suzanne Doyle

Turning free parking into paid parking is gentrifying--you are hurting those who can't afford it and plattering the benefits to those who can.

I am opposed to paid on street parking being introduced in downtown Fort Collins. The argument that residents create additional traffic looking for free parking seems dubious at best. Personally, if I encounter a free parking space for a short visit downtown, I will take it. However, I generally opt for the parking garages since they offer me more flexibility as to the duration of my visit. I was disappointed to hear so many people take advantage of overstaying their paid parking. I believe enforcement on the current regulations and increasing fine penalties should be done for a period of time that can be studied before any further adjustments to downtown parking.

I am 83 years old and fairly good with technology thanks to the help of my children. Two years ago, I parked in one of the garages. I found it very confusing but I entered the required information via my iPhone. I was there for less than an hour but was still charged. Needless to say, I have not parked in a public garage since then. If on-street paid parking is implemented with a similar system for paying, it will definitely deter senior citizens and others from coming downtown.

Paid on-street parking is not supported by majority of downtown business owners and also by many Fort Collins citizens, including me. City council is elected to support the wishes and views of Fort Collins residents, and thus you should not be supporting the concept of paid on-street parking in the Old Town area.
Financially, the cost of the parking meters is absurd and is Another Big$$ reason to not move forward with this plan. The two hour time limit currently in place, gives some restriction, while allowing for the option of parking short term without payment required.
There are many other reasons which others have voiced to you for not moving forward with paid on-street parking on the Old Town area. Please listen to those you represent and do Not support this idea. Thank you!

Were the elderly, disabled and handicapped people recognized in this proposed model? I think not. Fort Collins is already expensive to live in and for those of us who like to go to old town, park and quickly run in to make our purchases this model would be a no go. And then city council can ask themselves why Amazon is popular over their pay to park model. Come on people, this isn’t Denver or Boulder!

Paid parking downtown is completely unacceptable. They are small businesses that are forced to charge higher prices than the big box stores already, but I shop there to support them. If I have to pay for parking to go to lunch or shop in the local businesses, I won't be able to go downtown anymore. The city needs to figure out how to support LOCAL businesses and quit trying to turn Fort Collins into Denver or Boulder.

Don't change the current downtown parking system!!!!

As a longtime resident of Fort Collins, the downtown area is one of the gems of this city, and the ease of visiting via free on-street parking is one of the reasons I visit so frequently. Moving to a paid parking model will certainly deter myself and other revenue generating visitors from going downtown. Please reconsider this decision.

I'm pretty sure this would just reduce business and make things a pain. I suggest not adding paid street parking.

I oppose paid parking in downtown Ft. Collins. If it is implemented I will likely not shop there in the future. These parking charges will not make up for the lost sales tax revenue that will occur if this policy is implemented.

Now a Ft Collins resident, we had lived in Columbia, Missouri for more than 40 years. The street parking in downtown Columbia has made the downtown experience less open and friendly, creating a very uninviting feeling. Based on our experience, we strongly suggest you reconsider. Leave the parking as it is!

I visit Fort Collins because of the variety of Downton shops, and the fact that it is easy to find parking near these shops and restaurants. With paid parking I am more likely to forego Fort Collins in favor of Centerra as a go to shopping center.

Removed by moderator.