Downtown Parking Management Updates

Paid street parking would close the front door to our Downtown businesses. My partner works in Old Town. Revenue was down last year s more folks shop online and tighten their belts as prices have continued to soar. Adding parking fees to this already tight economy will result in shops closing as people shop at national chains or online.
This paid parking proposal is remarkably short sighted and destined to fail!!
Sales taxes in town are already so high that people shop in Timnath and Greeley and Loveland instead of in their home town For Collins.
NO PAID STREET PARKING AND KEEP THE TWO HOUR LIMIT. WRITE REAL TICKETS AND NOT WARNINGS.

Paid parking proposal
Please don’t implement this. It will be bad for local business and bad for local residents.

I would strongly discourage the movement to the paid parking model. Even though it is cheap, the mental math will likely deter people from coming to old town for quick errands and instead go to malls and shopping centers. As a frequent user of the parking garage, I disagree that the upside down model is confusing - the garage gives the convenience of finding a spot when you need one. Other options should be considered before putting the culture of downtown at risk.

I oppose the idea to implement paid street parking in Downtown Fort Collins. The free 2-hr time window allows many people to quickly stop in to local businesses, and is already a convenient model for many, especially on weekdays. If there must be fees for parking, charge more for the garages. I am willing to use the garage, and pay more for it if I know I will be out for longer, for an event, long day of shopping, or a meal. If I am quickly stopping in to a few places downtown to support small businesses, I do not want to worry about needing to pay for street parking. If I want to quickly pop by downtown buy some items like soaps and spices and teas, coffees, etc, (stuff I use routinely, NOT tourist attractions), I’d just go somewhere else I don’t have to pay for parking. Please don’t implement paid street parking, and create a better plan that doesn’t “nickel and dime” our local residents, and well as supports small local businesses.

I oppose the implementation of metered parking in old town.

I'm am excited to see this measure on the docket. I think it is plain fiscal responsibility to let drivers pay for driving infrastructure.

I won't ever be going down town if I have to pay for parking... what the hell is wrong with you people 🤬

I have been a psychotherapist and private practice business owner in the city of Fort Collins for over 20 years. While I have a parking permit and park behind JeJu for my daily parking, my clients do their best to park around my office at 109 W. Olive St.
Having to pay for metered parking in addition to the cost of regular therapy appointments could easily put someone outside their financial means. I work with people who have complex PTSD, PTSD and serious mental illnesses. May of them are on fixed incomes and already pay below normal therapy rates in order to see me. Metered parking would be a cost they cannot afford. It would cause people to not get the services they truly need.

Please keep 2 hour free parking!!! That is a HUGE plus when shopping in old town and what makes Fort Collins special - in comparison to parking in Denver or Boulder for example!!

Paid parking would severely deter me from visitng old town. Please do not make our city more expensive to live in than it already is.

I am a local DoorDasher, I have been DoorDashing in the area for almost 3 years now. Parking in Old Town is already ludicrous enough; losing 2 hr. parking on the streets would mean I- and many other Dashers I've talked to on my way- avoid picking up from Old Town restaurants at all costs, driving the business in Old Town downhill. Not to mention Dashers normally only "top out" around 20/hr, with an average more like 15-17 an hour... and you want us to pay for parking??

I strongly oppose removing the 2-hour free parking and converting it to paid parking. Free, short-term parking is critical for small businesses, whose customers often rely on quick, convenient access to shop, dine, or attend appointments. Introducing paid parking creates an additional barrier, discourages foot traffic, and disproportionately impacts local businesses that are already navigating tight margins. Preserving free 2-hour parking supports a vibrant local economy, encourages downtown use, and helps ensure small businesses can continue to thrive.

Paid parking in Old Town? Really? The time-limit system works just fine and keeps people coming in to shop, eat, and support local businesses. Adding fees will only push folks to big box stores and online shopping—great for them, terrible for the heart of our city. Residents already pay enough; don’t make us pay extra just to enjoy our own downtown. Fix the real parking problems first before adding more barriers.

My family has been enjoying all that Old Town has to offer for over 20 years. We love supporting the small businesses and locally owned restaurants and coffee shops! We love going to the splash pad and farmers market in the summer. Please do not ruin it for the many people who I know also enjoy coming to Old Town. We are taxed enough! Our water and electricity increased again!! Stop taking our hard earned money!! We should NOT have to pay to have a little enjoyment in our lives!!

Having paid parking all around downtown FoCo would massively reduce visitors and the economy. 2 hours free with paid parking afterwards is more than enough, and anything further would be greedy and incentivize people to visit other cities and move out.

I adamantly oppose paid parking in old town. I would choose to shop in other cities if paid parking is approved for old town. If paid parking is passed, I would also be more likely to visit Boulder or Golden since they both require paid parking. Our free parking in old town is what sets us apart from our “peer” cities. I encourage the city to ask the leaders in Cheyenne, Wy what happened when they implemented paid parking in their downtown.

As a born and raised Fort Collins local, I strongly oppose the switch to metered, pay-to-park in old town. This is something that has always deterred me from visiting other shopping areas. Old Town has thrived for decades with the time limit parking. It works well for visitors, residents and our small local businesses. In this economy, the last thing we need is to increase consumer cost. People are already pinching pennies and spending less, favoring large and cheap box stores over small local shops. This will only decrease the amount of foot traffic and spending in Old Town. Plus, residents already have a high cost of living; now you're going to put another monetary barrier for the best (and only) shopping and dining spots in town? This is not a fair solution. There are obvious current issues with the mismanagement of existing parking structures, and inefficient enforcement of parking; adding yet another thing for management to fall through on is an inefficient use of time and money.

I visit downtown FoCo all the time during the day for quick errands. I can tell you first hand that if I had to deal with the hassle of paying to park, I'd consider going elsewhere. Home Depot instead of Ace, B&N instead of Old Firehouse, etc. FoCo is a welcoming town! We want to be different, more down-to-earth than the touristic mountain towns. People are struggling enormously with finances right now. Is now the time to take away a free offering when the economy and job market is so terrible? Please, read the room. You want money for infrastructure, tax the rich. That has ALWAYS been the answer. Don't nickel and dime people who work at small businesses. Don't discourage locals from shopping small. Keep FoCo welcoming, keep parking free!

2 Hour Free Parking is an important part of keeping Fort Collins moving! As a grad student, this parking is key to my classmates making it to class, spending time downtown, and creating a greater sense of community while also supporting local business. Charging for parking will harm local businesses, residents, and visitors!! Maintain free parking to keep Fort Collins accessible and lively!

I truly believe that metered parking will hurt our businesses. If we’re looking to make additional funds for the city, make the garage $2/hour