How long do I have to contest a parking ticket in Denver?

You have 20 days from the citation date to file an appeal with Denver DOTI Parking Operations, through its official appeal portal at https://www.denvergov.org/Vehicles-Parking/Parking. Miss that window and the citation is normally treated as accepted, so file first and gather extra paperwork after.

What evidence do I need to fight a Denver parking ticket?

Include the citation number, the date and time, your license plate, and a photo of the posted sign or your paid meter receipt taken at the space. A timestamped photo showing the meter was paid, or that the posted restriction did not apply at that hour, is the evidence that decides most Denver, CO appeals. ParkPiggy stores those photos on your device and drafts the letter for you.

What are the parking meter hours in Denver?

Meters in Denver, CO are enforced Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. Posted signs at the space always override a citywide schedule.

How do I file the appeal in Denver?

Write a short statement naming the citation, the space, and why the ticket was issued in error, attach your photo evidence, and submit it to Denver DOTI Parking Operations within 20 days using https://www.denvergov.org/Vehicles-Parking/Parking. ParkPiggy generates that letter from your scan and photo so you only have to paste and send it.

What is the most common parking ticket trap in Denver?

Most meters Mon-Sat; rates vary by block. Hours are posted on the device. Typical commercial enforcement is Monday-Saturday about 8am-8pm; some LoDo/core blocks run later. Core downtown commonly about $2/hour for the first two hours. Aug 2026 change: downtown, LoHi, and Broadway corridor can buy a third hour after 3pm at $3 via the meter or Pay by Phone. Enforcement: DOTI. Rate: About $0.25-$4.00; downtown often $2 then $3 third hour. Limit: Often 2 hours; 3 hours after 3pm in selected corridors. Schedule: Mon-Sat typical 8:00am-8:00 typicalpm · About $0.25-$4.00; downtown often $2 then $3 third hour · Often 2 hours; 3 hours after 3pm in selected corridors. Typical fine: Citation.

Is parking free on Sundays or holidays in Denver?

Denver has no blanket free-parking exemption on file with us, so assume meters are enforced Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and read the posted sign before you walk away.

Local parking guide

Parking rules in Denver, CO

Meter hours, the rules that hand out the most tickets, and exactly how long you have to contest one in Denver. Enforced by Denver DOTI Parking Operations.

Denver meter hours

Enforced:: Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Ticket risk:: High
Data quality:: Verified source

How to contest a Denver parking ticket

You have 20 days from the citation date to file an appeal with Denver DOTI Parking Operations. Photograph the sign and your paid meter before you leave — that photo is the evidence that wins most appeals.

Draft my dispute letter Official Denver appeal portal

From ParkPiggy

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Geo-targeted placement next to the local rules drivers came here to read.

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How to pay & who to call

Pay with:: ParkMobile / Pay by Phone; smart meters take cards and coins
Agency:: Citation questions 1-866-280-9988; 311 for enforcement requests
Good to know:: Official: meters free Sundays + listed city holidays (includes Cesar Chavez and Juneteenth). Hours posted on meter. Most zones Mon-Sat ~8am-8pm; some LoDo later. Core downtown often $2/hr first 2 hours; after 3pm in downtown/LoHi/Broadway a 3rd hour is $3 (pilot expanded Aug 2026). Online dispute returns Sep 14 2026 for tickets ≤20 days old.

Sources last checked Aug 28, 2026. The posted sign at your bumper always wins.

Watch it: contesting a Denver ticket

Two short clips — one for the photos to take at the curb, one for the appeal itself. Every step is written out under each clip, so you never need the audio.

Shoot the proof in Denver

5 sec

Meter screen first, then the sign above it — the two frames that win most Denver DOTI Parking Operations appeals.

Pay first, then photograph the meter or kiosk screen while the time paid is still showing.
Step back and photograph the whole sign post so every posted restriction is in one frame.
Photograph anything blocking the sign — foliage, a truck, luggage, scaffolding.
Save both photos in ParkPiggy Photos before you walk away.

How the Denver appeal works

10 sec

You get about 20 days from the citation date to file with Denver DOTI Parking Operations. Here's the order of operations.

Read the citation and note the date — the 20-day clock starts there, not when you found the ticket.
Attach your meter and sign photos as evidence.
Generate the dispute letter, which names the citation, the space and the rule.
Submit it through the Denver DOTI Parking Operations portal and log the filing date in your tracker.
Keep a copy. A decision can take weeks after the filing window closes.

Your Denver evidence checklist

Built from the 4 rules we hold for Denver and the 20-day Denver DOTI Parking Operations window. Tick each shot as you take it — progress is saved on this device only.

8 photos to capture

Photo of the meter or kiosk screen showing time paidShows Denver DOTI Parking Operations the exact minute you paid and how long it covered. Get the screen readable, not just the machine.
Photo of the paper receipt or the app confirmation screenA second, independent record in case the meter screen photo is hard to read.
Photo of the space or meter number next to your carTies the payment you made to the space the citation was written for.
Wide photo of every posted sign on the block faceMeters in Denver run Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, but the sign at your bumper overrides that. A wide shot proves what was actually posted.
Photo of anything blocking, faded or contradicting the signFoliage, a delivery truck, luggage, scaffolding or a peeling sign face is one of the strongest grounds for dismissal.
Photo of your car in the space with the curb and hydrant visibleEstablishes distance from hydrants, corners and driveways, and shows the curb colour.
Photo covering the Denver trap: most meters mon-sat; rates vary by blockHours are posted on the device. Typical commercial enforcement is Monday-Saturday about 8am-8pm; some LoDo/core blocks run later. Core downtown commonly about $2/hour for the first two hours. Aug 2026 change: downtown, LoHi, and Broadway corridor can buy a third hour after 3pm at $3 via the meter or Pay by Phone. Enforcement: DOTI. Rate: About $0.25-$4.00; downtown often $2 then $3 third hour. Limit: Often 2 hours; 3 hours after 3pm in selected corridors.
Photo of both sides of the citation itselfYou have 20 days from the citation date to file with Denver DOTI Parking Operations, and the citation number has to be exact.

Save these photos

Set a Denver deadline reminder

Denver gives you about 20 days from the citation date to file with Denver DOTI Parking Operations. Enter the date on your ticket and ParkPiggy warns you before the window shuts.

Date printed on the citation

Citation number (optional)

Warn me this many days early

Filing deadline: 9/17/2026 · 21 days left

Open my appeal tracker

Denver parking rules and traps

Meters free Sundays and listed city holidays
Verified source
DOTI official street-parking page: meter spaces are free Sundays and on New Year's Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Hours of operation are posted on every meter and kiosk. Enforcement: RPP and safety rules can still apply.
Sun + listed holidays · Free
Sourcefor Meters free Sundays and listed city holidays (opens in a new tab)
Most meters Mon-Sat; rates vary by block
Verified source
Hours are posted on the device. Typical commercial enforcement is Monday-Saturday about 8am-8pm; some LoDo/core blocks run later. Core downtown commonly about $2/hour for the first two hours. Aug 2026 change: downtown, LoHi, and Broadway corridor can buy a third hour after 3pm at $3 via the meter or Pay by Phone. Enforcement: DOTI. Rate: About $0.25-$4.00; downtown often $2 then $3 third hour. Limit: Often 2 hours; 3 hours after 3pm in selected corridors.
Mon-Sat typical 8:00am-8:00 typicalpm · About $0.25-$4.00; downtown often $2 then $3 third hour · Often 2 hours; 3 hours after 3pm in selected corridors · Citation
Sourcefor Most meters Mon-Sat; rates vary by block (opens in a new tab)
Online dispute returns Sep 14 2026 — 20-day window
Verified source
DOTI reopens online citation disputes at denvergov.org/parking on Monday Sep 14 2026, replacing the old Parking Magistrates program. Ticket must be 20 days old or less (issued on or after Aug 25 for the launch window). Citation questions: 1-866-280-9988. Enforcement: DOTI administrative review.
Any · Court if you miss the window
Sourcefor Online dispute returns Sep 14 2026 — 20-day window (opens in a new tab)
Peak-demand / Ball Arena meters can hit $4/hr
Auto-researched
Peak-demand downtown and Ball Arena-area meters are posted up to about $4/hour on event days. The posted meter and Pay by Phone zone control. Sundays and listed city holidays stay free unless a separate event bagging/no-parking permit is on that block. Enforcement: DOTI. Rate: Up to ~$4/hour posted.
Event / peak-demand days · Up to ~$4/hour posted · Posted · Citation
Sourcefor Peak-demand / Ball Arena meters can hit $4/hr (opens in a new tab)

Stella's Denver tips

Pay with: confirm
DOTI parking pages move; verify first.

Denver parking questions, answered

How long do I have to contest a parking ticket in Denver?: You have 20 days from the citation date to file an appeal with Denver DOTI Parking Operations, through its official appeal portal at https://www.denvergov.org/Vehicles-Parking/Parking. Miss that window and the citation is normally treated as accepted, so file first and gather extra paperwork after.
What evidence do I need to fight a Denver parking ticket?: Include the citation number, the date and time, your license plate, and a photo of the posted sign or your paid meter receipt taken at the space. A timestamped photo showing the meter was paid, or that the posted restriction did not apply at that hour, is the evidence that decides most Denver, CO appeals. ParkPiggy stores those photos on your device and drafts the letter for you.
What are the parking meter hours in Denver?: Meters in Denver, CO are enforced Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. Posted signs at the space always override a citywide schedule.
How do I file the appeal in Denver?: Write a short statement naming the citation, the space, and why the ticket was issued in error, attach your photo evidence, and submit it to Denver DOTI Parking Operations within 20 days using https://www.denvergov.org/Vehicles-Parking/Parking. ParkPiggy generates that letter from your scan and photo so you only have to paste and send it.
What is the most common parking ticket trap in Denver?: Most meters Mon-Sat; rates vary by block. Hours are posted on the device. Typical commercial enforcement is Monday-Saturday about 8am-8pm; some LoDo/core blocks run later. Core downtown commonly about $2/hour for the first two hours. Aug 2026 change: downtown, LoHi, and Broadway corridor can buy a third hour after 3pm at $3 via the meter or Pay by Phone. Enforcement: DOTI. Rate: About $0.25-$4.00; downtown often $2 then $3 third hour. Limit: Often 2 hours; 3 hours after 3pm in selected corridors. Schedule: Mon-Sat typical 8:00am-8:00 typicalpm · About $0.25-$4.00; downtown often $2 then $3 third hour · Often 2 hours; 3 hours after 3pm in selected corridors. Typical fine: Citation.
Is parking free on Sundays or holidays in Denver?: Denver has no blanket free-parking exemption on file with us, so assume meters are enforced Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and read the posted sign before you walk away.

Check the curb you're standing at

Rules change block by block in Denver. Snap the sign and ParkPiggy tells you whether you can park there right now.

Scan a sign

Official Denver parking page

Stella's note

Posted signs beat every guide, including this one. Use the Denver rules above to know what to look for.

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