Council hears proposal for low-cost staff parking permits aimed at downtown retailers

At the July 30 workshop, a councilmember described a meeting with Megan, owner of Colorado Baby, who proposed a low-cost staff parking permit pilot for downtown retail employees. The proposal would offer a limited number of annual permits to businesses (for example, up to five permits) at a low fee — the example figure discussed was $100 per permit per year — to help retail and lower-wage employees avoid long walks to free parking and to capture modest parking revenue.

Staff said they had discussed the idea with the Downtown Development Authority and other staff and would share details with council. The proposal was framed as a promotional pilot rather than a permanent policy change; councilmembers said it could be a near-term way to address parking stress for downtown employees while staff undertakes a broader parking plan.

No formal pilot was adopted at the workshop; staff agreed to communicate further and work with the retail community and parking manager to refine an implementation approach and pricing.