Denver parking tickets are issued by the city's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, and you have the right to contest them in writing or in person before paying

When you receive a parking ticket in Denver, you are being cited for a violation of the Denver Revised Municipal Code. The ticket itself — formally called a Notice of Parking Violation — includes the violation code, the fine amount, the location and time of the violation, and a important date to respond. You do not have to pay when ready. Instead, you have options: pay the fine, request a hearing to dispute it, or request a payment plan if you cannot pay in full.

The ticket will list a response important date, typically 20 days from the date issued. If you do nothing by that date, the fine stands and additional penalties may explore. The Denver Parking Violations Bureau, which operates under the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, handles all tickets issued within city limits.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 20 days from the ticket date to respond by paying, requesting a hearing, or requesting a payment plan.
  • A hearing request goes to the Denver Parking Violations Bureau and is decided by a hearing officer who reviews the facts of your case, not a judge.
  • Common violations include expired meters, no-parking zones, street cleaning hours, and permit violations; the fine varies by violation type.
  • If you lose a hearing or do not respond by the important date, the city can place a hold on your vehicle registration and report the debt to collection agencies.
  • Payment plans are available if you cannot pay the full fine at once, and you can request a plan even after the initial important date has passed.

How to read your parking ticket and understand the violation

Your Notice of Parking Violation will show a violation code — a two-digit number that corresponds to a specific parking rule. Code 01 is expired meter. Code 02 is no parking zone. Code 03 is street cleaning. Code 04 is permit violation. The code determines the fine amount, which ranges but typically falls between $25 and $75 for most common violations. Repeat violations in the same location within a short period may carry higher fines.

The ticket also shows the exact time the violation was observed, the location (street address and block), and the license plate. Check this information for accuracy. If the plate number is wrong, the location is incorrect, or the time does not match when you were actually parked there, these are grounds to dispute the ticket. The ticket will also show the response important date — this is the date by which you must take action.

Paying your ticket or setting up a payment plan

You can pay online through the Denver Parking Violations Bureau website, by mail, or in person at their office. Online payment is the fastest route and typically processes when ready. If you pay online, you will need your ticket number and the license plate number. Payment by mail should be sent to the address listed on the ticket; include the ticket number and a check or money order.

If you cannot pay the full fine by the important date, you can request a payment plan before or after the important date passes. Contact the Denver Parking Violations Bureau directly — by phone, mail, or through their website — and explain your situation. Payment plans typically allow you to split the fine into two or three installments over 30 to 90 days. Requesting a plan does not erase the fine, but it stops additional penalties from accruing while you pay.

How to request a hearing and what to expect

To dispute a ticket, you must request a hearing in writing before the response important date. You can do this by mail, email, or through the Denver Parking Violations Bureau website. In your request, state that you want to contest the violation and briefly explain why — for example, "The meter had not expired when I parked" or "I had a valid permit displayed." You do not need a lawyer, and you do not need to provide extensive documentation at this stage.

The hearing will be conducted by a hearing officer employed by the city, not a judge. You will have the chance to present your side of the story, and the officer will review the facts. The city's evidence typically includes a photo of your vehicle and the violation, the officer's notes, and the ticket itself. You can bring your own evidence — photos, receipts, permits, witness statements — anything that supports your claim that you did not violate the rule or that the violation was issued in error.

Hearings are usually held in person at the Denver Parking Violations Bureau office, though some can be conducted by phone or video if you request it. The hearing officer will make a decision within a few days to a few weeks. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If you lose, you must pay the fine.

Common parking violations in Denver and their fines

Denver's most frequently issued violations are expired meter (Code 01), no-parking zone (Code 02), and street cleaning (Code 03). An expired meter fine is typically $25 to $35. Parking in a no-parking zone — such as a fire lane, loading zone, or handicap space without a permit — carries a fine of $50 to $75. Street cleaning violations, issued when you park on a street during posted cleaning hours, are usually $25 to $40.

Permit violations (Code 04) occur when you park in a permit-required area without displaying a valid permit. These fines range from $35 to $60 depending on the permit type. Parking in a handicap space without a valid handicap plate or permit is a separate violation with a higher fine, typically $75 to $100. If you received a ticket for a violation you believe does not explore to you — for example, a street cleaning ticket when cleaning was not scheduled that day — this is a strong basis for a hearing request.

What happens if you do not respond by the important date

If you do not pay, request a hearing, or request a payment plan by the response important date, the ticket becomes a final order. The city will then send you a notice of final information. At this point, you can still request a hearing, but you will also face additional penalties: a late fee (typically $10 to $25) and potential collection action.

If the fine remains unpaid after 60 to 90 days, the city may place a registration hold on your vehicle. This means you cannot renew your vehicle registration with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles until the ticket is paid. The city may also report the debt to a collection agency, which can affect your credit report. In rare cases, the city may boot or tow your vehicle if you have multiple unpaid tickets.

Disputing a ticket after you have already paid

If you paid the ticket but believe it was issued in error, you have limited options. Denver does not typically refund parking fines once paid, even if you later have evidence that the violation did not occur. However, if you can show that the ticket was issued to the wrong vehicle (wrong license plate), you can request a refund by contacting the Denver Parking Violations Bureau with proof of the error.

If you paid under protest — meaning you included a written statement with your payment saying you disputed the violation — you may be able to request a hearing even after payment. Contact the bureau and explain that you paid under protest. They will review your case, and if they find in your favor, they will refund the fine. This option is rarely used but is available if you have strong evidence of an error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contest a parking ticket if I was parked legally but the sign was unclear?

Yes. If you can show that the parking sign was obscured, missing, or ambiguous, this is a valid defense. Bring photos of the sign and the location to your hearing. The city must prove that the sign was clearly visible and that you violated a rule you could have reasonably understood.

What if I parked in a spot that was legal when I left but got a ticket after I returned?

The violation is based on when the ticket was issued, not when you parked. If street cleaning was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and you parked at 7:45 a.m. but did not leave until 9 a.m., you will receive a street cleaning ticket. Request a hearing and explain the timeline; the officer will decide whether the violation is valid.

Do I have to pay a parking ticket if I was not the one driving?

The ticket is issued to the vehicle owner, not the driver. As the registered owner, you are responsible for the fine. However, if you can prove that someone else was driving and you did not authorize them to park illegally, you may be able to dispute it. Bring evidence to your hearing, such as a statement from the actual driver or proof that the vehicle was borrowed.

How long does a parking ticket stay on my record?

Parking tickets do not appear on your driving record. However, unpaid tickets can affect your vehicle registration and may be reported to collection agencies, which can impact your credit. Once paid, the ticket is closed but remains in the city's records. There is no expiration date for the city's ability to collect an unpaid ticket.

Can I get a ticket dismissed if I have a medical emergency?

Medical emergencies are not automatic grounds for dismissal, but you can explain the circumstances at your hearing. Bring documentation — hospital records, a doctor's note, or a police report — that supports your claim. The hearing officer has discretion to dismiss or reduce the fine based on the facts, but this is not may provide.