Where and how to pay your Denver parking ticket
Denver parking tickets can be paid online through the City and County of Denver's Parking Violations Bureau website, by mail, or in person at their office. The online method is fastest — you can pay within minutes using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. If you prefer mail, send a check or money order to the address printed on your ticket. In-person payment happens at the Parking Violations Bureau office located at 201 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202, where you can pay by cash, check, or card during business hours.
The ticket itself contains all the information you need to pay: a citation number, the amount owed, and instructions for each payment method. You will need this citation number to pay online. Payment important date vary depending on whether you have contested the ticket or received a notice of delinquency, so check your ticket or any follow-up mail from the city for your specific due date.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through the Denver Parking Violations Bureau website is the fastest option and requires only your citation number and a credit or debit card.
- Mail payments should be sent to 201 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202, and must include your citation number and a check or money order.
- In-person payment at the Parking Violations Bureau office accepts cash, check, or card during regular business hours.
- Your ticket shows the exact amount owed and the important date for payment; missing the important date can result in additional penalties and collection action.
Paying online through the Denver Parking Violations Bureau
The City and County of Denver operates an online payment portal specifically for parking tickets. Visit the Denver Parking Violations Bureau website and select the option to pay a violation. You will be asked to enter your citation number, which appears on your ticket, and the amount owed will display automatically.
Once you confirm the amount, you can pay using a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, or by electronic check using your bank account information. The system processes payments when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this confirmation for your records. Online payment is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can pay at any time that suits you.
If you cannot locate your citation number or have questions about the amount, the Parking Violations Bureau phone line can help you look up your ticket before you attempt to pay online. This prevents you from entering incorrect information and having your payment rejected.
Mailing a check or money order to the city
To pay by mail, write a check or obtain a money order for the exact amount shown on your ticket. On the back of the check or money order, write your citation number so the city can match your payment to the correct ticket. Place this in an envelope with a copy of your ticket if you have one, though the citation number alone is sufficient.
Mail your payment to: Parking Violations Bureau, 201 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202. The city processes mail payments, but there is a delay between when you mail the check and when it arrives and clears. If your payment important date is approaching, mail payment is riskier than online or in-person payment because the postmark date may not count as your payment date — the city records the date the payment is received. Plan for at least one week of mail transit time.
Paying in person at the Parking Violations Bureau office
The Parking Violations Bureau office is located at 201 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202. You can walk in during business hours and pay your ticket directly. The office accepts cash, checks, and all major credit and debit cards. Bring your ticket or citation number with you so staff can look up your account if needed.
In-person payment is recorded when ready, and you will receive a receipt on the spot. This is the safest method if your payment important date is very close, because your payment is documented the moment you hand it over. Hours of operation are posted on the city's website and may vary seasonally, so check before you go.
What happens if you miss the payment important date
If you do not pay by the important date on your ticket, the city will send you a notice of delinquency. This notice includes a new, higher amount owed — the original fine plus a late penalty. You then have a second important date to pay this increased amount. If you miss that important date as well, the city may refer your account to a collection agency, which can report the debt to credit bureaus and pursue collection action.
Unpaid parking tickets can also prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles. The state will not issue a new registration until all parking violations in Denver are resolved. This creates a cascading problem: you cannot legally drive the vehicle, which makes it harder to get to work or handle other obligations.
Contesting a ticket instead of paying
If you believe the ticket was issued in error — for example, the sign was obscured, you were parked legally, or the meter was broken — you have the right to contest it. You must request a hearing within a specific timeframe, usually 20 days from the ticket date. This request must be submitted in writing to the Parking Violations Bureau, either by mail or through their online portal.
During the contest process, you do not pay the ticket. Instead, you present your evidence to a hearing officer, who decides whether the ticket should be upheld or dismissed. If the ticket is upheld, you will then owe the original amount plus any applicable late fees if time has passed. If you contest the ticket and lose, you cannot then claim you did not know about the important date — the city will expect payment when ready after the hearing decision.
Payment plans and hardship options
Denver does not automatically offer payment plans for parking tickets, but you can contact the Parking Violations Bureau directly to ask about your options if you cannot pay the full amount when ready. The city may be willing to work with you on a payment schedule, though this is handled case by case and is not may provide.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, explain your situation when you call. The city is more likely to negotiate if you demonstrate good faith by paying something now and committing to a schedule for the remainder. Ignoring the ticket entirely guarantees escalation to collection and registration holds, so contacting the city proactively is always better than waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Denver parking ticket with a credit card online?
Yes. The Denver Parking Violations Bureau online portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards. You can also pay by electronic check using your bank account. The transaction processes when ready, and you receive a confirmation number.
What if I lost my ticket and don't have the citation number?
Call the Parking Violations Bureau and provide your license plate number and the approximate date and location where you received the ticket. Staff will look up the citation number for you. Once you have it, you can pay online or in person.
Does the postmark date count as my payment date if I mail a check?
No. The city records the date the payment is received, not the postmark date. If your important date is close, mail payment is risky because of transit delays. Online or in-person payment is safer if time is short.
What happens to my vehicle registration if I don't pay a Denver parking ticket?
Colorado will not renew your vehicle registration until the ticket is paid. You cannot legally drive the vehicle with an expired registration. The city reports unpaid tickets to the state, which blocks the renewal automatically.
Can I get the parking ticket dismissed if I contest it?
You can request a hearing to contest the ticket if you believe it was issued in error. A hearing officer will review your evidence and decide whether to uphold or dismiss the ticket. There is no may provide of dismissal — it depends on the facts of your case.