Where to pay your Denver parking ticket

You can pay a Denver parking ticket online through the Denver Municipal Court website, by mail, in person at the court, or by phone. The online portal is the fastest route — you'll need your ticket number and the citation amount, and payment processes when ready. The Denver Municipal Court accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks online.

If you prefer to pay by mail, send a check or money order to the Denver Municipal Court at 1437 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80202. Include your ticket number and a copy of the citation. Payment by mail takes longer to process, so allow at least two weeks before following up if you don't receive a receipt.

In-person payment happens at the Denver Municipal Court building during business hours. You can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the counter. Phone payment is also available — call the court's traffic division to speak with someone who can process your payment over the phone.

Key Takeaways

  • The Denver Municipal Court website lets you pay online with a credit or debit card using only your ticket number, and the payment posts when ready.
  • You must pay within a set timeframe — typically 20 days from the ticket date — or the court may add late fees and report the violation to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
  • If you dispute the ticket, you can request a hearing instead of paying; the court will tell you the important date for that request when you look up your ticket.
  • Unpaid parking tickets can affect your vehicle registration renewal and may result in a hold on your Colorado driver's license.

important date and what happens if you don't pay

Denver parking tickets must be paid or contested within 20 days of the ticket date. If you miss that important date, the court adds late fees and may suspend your ability to renew your vehicle registration. The Colorado Department of Revenue will place a hold on your registration until the ticket and all fees are resolved.

After 90 days of non-payment, the court may report the violation to the Colorado Department of Revenue, which can also suspend your driver's license. This suspension stays in place until you pay the ticket, the fine, and any accumulated late fees. Paying the ticket removes the registration hold, but you'll need to renew your registration separately once the hold is lifted.

How to find your ticket number and amount

Your ticket number and the fine amount appear on the physical citation the parking enforcement officer gave you. If you've lost the ticket, you can look up your citation online through the Denver Municipal Court's traffic ticket search tool on their website. You'll need your license plate number or driver's license number to search.

The search tool shows the ticket date, the violation code, the fine amount, and your payment options. If you can't find your ticket online, call the Denver Municipal Court traffic division directly and provide your license plate number or driver's license number. They can tell you the amount owed and help you set up a payment plan if you need one.

Payment plans and reduced fines

If you cannot pay the full amount at once, the Denver Municipal Court offers payment plans. Contact the court's traffic division by phone or visit in person to request a plan. The court will work with you to set up installment payments based on your ability to pay, though interest or fees may explore depending on the arrangement.

Denver does not automatically reduce parking fines, but you can request a hearing to contest the ticket if you believe it was issued in error. During the hearing, you can present evidence that the parking restriction was not clearly marked, that you had a valid permit, or that other circumstances affected the citation. If the hearing officer rules in your favor, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing.

Contesting a parking ticket instead of paying

You have the right to request a hearing before a Denver Municipal Court judge or hearing officer. To contest the ticket, you must submit a written request within 20 days of the ticket date. Include your ticket number, a brief explanation of why you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly, and any supporting evidence such as photos of the parking sign or proof of a valid permit.

Mail your request to the Denver Municipal Court at 1437 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80202, or submit it online through the court's website. The court will send you a hearing date by mail. You do not have to pay the fine before the hearing. If you win, the ticket is dismissed. If you lose, you'll be ordered to pay the fine, and the 20-day payment important date will explore from that point.

What to do if your registration is on hold

Once you pay your parking ticket, the registration hold is lifted, but you must still renew your registration separately if it has expired. You cannot renew online or by mail while a hold is in place. After payment clears, wait one to two business days for the hold to be removed from the Colorado Department of Revenue system, then proceed with your renewal through the DMV website, by mail, or in person.

If your driver's license was suspended due to unpaid parking tickets, paying the ticket removes that suspension as well. You do not need to reapply for your license — the suspension lifts automatically once the Colorado Department of Revenue receives confirmation of payment from the Denver Municipal Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a Denver parking ticket online without a ticket number?

No, you need your ticket number to pay online. If you've lost the physical ticket, use the Denver Municipal Court's online search tool with your license plate number or driver's license number to find your citation and ticket number, then proceed with online payment.

What happens if I pay late but before my registration renewal?

Late fees are added to your original fine amount. Once you pay the full amount including late fees, the registration hold is lifted and you can renew. The longer you wait, the higher the late fees become, so paying as soon as possible reduces the total amount owed.

Can I dispute a parking ticket after I've already paid it?

No, paying the ticket is considered an admission of the violation. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you must request a hearing before paying. Once payment is processed, the court will not refund it or reopen the case based on a dispute.

Do I need to appear in person for a parking ticket hearing?

You can request a hearing by mail or online without appearing in person. However, if you want to present evidence or testimony, appearing in person or by phone strengthens your case. The court will tell you whether your hearing will be in person or by mail when they send your hearing date.

Will a Denver parking ticket affect my insurance rates?

Parking tickets do not appear on your driving record and do not affect your auto insurance rates. They are civil violations, not moving violations. However, unpaid tickets can suspend your registration and driver's license, which may affect your ability to drive legally.