Residents Not Fans of New Parking Proposal in Fort Collins

How many times have you gone downtown Fort Collins only to be unable to find somewhere to park close to wherever you're headed? Depends on the time of day, really.

For many, if you pop downtown midday on a weekday, parking isn't really much of an issue. But come dinner time or on the weekends, it's akin to driving around the mall parking lot two days before Christmas. You just go in circles, around and around and around.

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The City of Fort Collins has debated whether or not paid parking along College Ave downtown could solve some of those issues - at the very least, help with cars that overstay their welcome in what has been free parking for decades.

They've been talking about it for a while now, but next week the city is set to put more of a plan in place, meeting next Tuesday to identify next steps for if and when it may happen.

READ MORE: If You Love Your Car, Avoid This Colorado Parking Garage

Realistically, the city says, IF it's something they ultimately put into place it wouldn't happen until roughly 2028. But another change is coming sooner rather than later.

Beginning June 1, Fort Collins says they will begin to strictly enforce the "two hour limit" rule downtown, ensuring that nobody overstays their welcome and gives up their spots for others. That includes the possibility of increasing fines for violations for parking space hogs.

Whether or not that helps remains to be seen. But look at it like this. Follow the rules now, or pay for parking later.