Downtown Parking Improvements

Upgraded Parking Meters

The City of Grand Junction is undergoing an upgrade to downtown parking meters and pay stations. If you have questions about parking or how to obtain a parking pass, review the Parking Permits and Information on gjcity.org.

The city is enhancing the way downtown looks by removing meters, installing pay stations in parking lots, and reducing the number of meters to one per every two parking spaces.

In 2023, the City of Grand Junction launched a pilot study for smart meter parking available on 3rd St. south of Main St. and on 6th St. north and south of Main St. The pilot study extended from late June 2023 until late October 2023. It allowed the city staff to gather input about the smart parking meters from businesses and visitors who use them. Overall the meters enhanced payment options for patrons by accepting coins, credit card, and app payment.

New meters have replaced outdated single-use meters that required extensive batteries and city staff time to maintain. The new meters provide easier access for those seeking parking while shopping, dining, or doing business downtown.

What about Parking Fees?

Improvements to the parking meters and kiosks began on February 1, 2024, in addition to an increase in meter rates. The increase in rates is tiered so those meters closer to downtown are more expensive which means those that are willing to walk a little further will pay a little less. The increase in parking fees benefits businesses by creating greater turnover for those wanting to shop or do business while allowing the city to reinvest the revenues in the maintenance and overall parking experience for residents and visitors.

Parking Downtown Grand Junction

Currently, there are 1,158 parking meters within city limits. Time-limited parking spaces through the use of meters provide a way to ensure spaces are available on a rotating basis for anyone shopping, having a beverage or a meal, or otherwise doing business downtown. Parking garages and lots are available throughout the area for employees' and Community Members' use.

Updates to Downtown Parking:

City staff have installed new parking meters around the downtown area. Old meters have been replaced with new ones that service every other parking space, allowing for more room along sidewalks. Staff will also replace the single meter use in parking lots with multiple pay stations to provide easier access for those seeking parking while shopping, dining, or doing business downtown. These parking lots will make the transition from meters to pay stations the week of Jan. 13, 2025.

Starting Jan. 27, 2025, parking enforcement hours will be monitored from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Friday. Parking will continue to be free on weekends, holidays, and outside of monitored hours. The adjustments will accommodate ten-hour permit parking, which previously was only monitored for eight hours, ensure designated parking areas for long-term guests, and provide extended safety for downtown visitors in the evening. This will enhance the visibility of parking spaces for visitors and customers.

Parking Meter Rates

• Short-Term Meters (2 and 4 Hours) and Main Floor Garage: $1.00 per hour
• Long-Term Meters (10 Hours): $0.50 per hour. see map for location
• Four-hour parking only in the lots at:
  • the 400, 500, and 600 blocks of Colorado Ave. and at the DMV north and south lot
• Ten-hour parking only in the lots at:
  • 600 Rood Ave. Users with ten-hour parking permits may park in this lot or in designated ten-hour parking spaces
  • 500 Ute Ave. This lot is designated for ten-hour permit parking only

Ten-hour permit holders may only park in designated ten-hour parking metered spaces or lots.