Where to pay your Denver parking ticket

You can pay a Denver parking ticket through the Denver Parking Violations Bureau, which handles all parking citations issued by the city. The Bureau operates a payment system that accepts payments by mail, online, phone, or in person at their office.

The fastest route is the online payment system at denvergov.org/pocketgov, where you can pay with a credit or debit card using your ticket number. If you don't have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the Parking Violations Bureau at (720) 913-1340 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time.

For in-person payment, the Parking Violations Bureau office is located at 1880 Gaylord Street, Denver, CO 80205. They accept cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Mailing a check is also an option—include your ticket number and send it to the same address.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay online at denvergov.org/pocketgov with your ticket number and a credit or debit card, which is the fastest method.
  • Phone payment is available at (720) 913-1340 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
  • In-person payment at 1880 Gaylord Street accepts cash, check, and cards, and is available during the same business hours.
  • Mailing a check with your ticket number to the Bureau office is an option if you cannot pay online or in person.
  • Late payment can result in additional penalties and may affect your vehicle registration renewal.

Payment important date and late fees

Denver parking tickets have a payment important date printed on the citation itself. Most tickets must be paid within 30 days of the violation date to avoid additional penalties. If you pay after this important date, the city adds a late fee to your original fine amount.

If you do not pay by the important date and do not contest the ticket through the appeals process, the city can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. This means you will not be able to renew your registration until the ticket is paid in full, including any late fees that have accumulated.

Contesting a ticket instead of paying

If you believe the ticket was issued in error or you have a valid reason to dispute it, you can request a hearing with the Parking Violations Bureau instead of paying when ready. You must request a hearing within 30 days of the violation date—the same important date as payment.

To request a hearing, contact the Parking Violations Bureau by phone at (720) 913-1340 or submit a written request by mail to 1880 Gaylord Street. Include your ticket number, your name, and a brief explanation of why you are contesting the ticket. A hearing officer will review your case, and you may be able to present evidence or testimony in person or by phone.

If you request a hearing, you do not pay the fine until after the hearing is complete. If the hearing officer upholds the ticket, you will then be required to pay the full amount. If the officer dismisses the ticket, you owe nothing.

What happens if you ignore a parking ticket

Ignoring a Denver parking ticket creates escalating consequences. After the initial 30-day important date passes, late fees are added to your balance. If you continue to ignore the ticket, the city will place a hold on your vehicle registration, which prevents you from renewing it.

A registration hold also means you cannot legally drive the vehicle in Colorado. If you are stopped by police, the hold will appear in their system, and you can be cited for driving with an expired registration. The ticket debt can also be referred to a collection agency, which may report it to credit bureaus and affect your credit score.

In rare cases where a ticket remains unpaid for an extended period, the city may pursue additional legal action. Paying the ticket as soon as possible stops these consequences from accumulating.

Payment methods and processing time

Denver accepts multiple payment methods depending on how you pay. Online and phone payments take credit or debit cards only. In-person payment at the Bureau office accepts cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Mailed checks should be sent to 1880 Gaylord Street with your ticket number clearly written on the check.

Online and phone payments are processed when ready, and your payment confirmation appears right away. In-person cash and card payments are also processed on the spot. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to process after the Bureau receives them, so mail your payment well before the important date to may support it arrives in time.

Finding your ticket number and citation details

Your ticket number appears on the physical citation left on your windshield or in the parking meter app notification if you received a digital citation. You need this number to pay online or by phone. If you have lost the physical ticket, you can contact the Parking Violations Bureau at (720) 913-1340 and provide your license plate number and the approximate date of the violation—they can look up your ticket and provide the number.

Some Denver parking citations are issued through the ParkWhiz or SpotHero apps if you parked in a metered space managed through those platforms. Check your email for a citation notice from the app, which will include payment instructions specific to that system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a Denver parking ticket online without a credit card?

The online payment system at denvergov.org/pocketgov requires a credit or debit card. If you do not have a card, you can pay by phone at (720) 913-1340, mail a check, or pay in person with cash at 1880 Gaylord Street during business hours.

What if I paid my ticket but still see a hold on my registration?

Registration holds can take 5 to 10 business days to clear after payment is processed. If your hold persists after two weeks, contact the Parking Violations Bureau at (720) 913-1340 with your payment confirmation number to verify the payment was recorded.

Can I pay a parking ticket for someone else's vehicle?

Yes. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail using the ticket number. In-person payment does not require you to be the vehicle owner. The ticket is tied to the citation number, not the person paying it.

What if I disagree with the fine amount?

Request a hearing within 30 days by calling (720) 913-1340 or mailing a written request to 1880 Gaylord Street. A hearing officer will review whether the ticket was issued correctly. You cannot negotiate the fine amount itself, but the officer can dismiss the ticket if it was issued in error.

Do I need to pay a parking ticket before selling my car?

Yes. Outstanding parking tickets create a registration hold that transfers with the vehicle. The new owner will not be able to register it until all tickets are paid. Settle any tickets before the sale to avoid complications for the buyer.