Businesses in Northern Colorado's Old Town Fort Collins Object to Proposed Paid Parking

City plans to introduce $2 per hour street parking fees in 2027, sparking backlash from local shop owners

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:35pm

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a set of car keys, a parking meter, and a handful of coins arranged on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the tension between municipal parking policy and the needs of local businesses.As Fort Collins considers implementing paid street parking in its historic Old Town district, local business owners worry the fees could undermine the area's vibrant community character and accessibility.Fort Collins Today

The City of Fort Collins in Northern Colorado is moving forward with plans to bring back paid parking to the Old Town district, despite strong objections from local business owners. The proposed $2 per hour street parking fee, set to take effect in 2027, has drawn criticism from shop owners who fear it will deter customers and hurt their bottom lines as they compete with big-box stores and online retailers offering free parking.

Why it matters

Old Town Fort Collins is a vibrant shopping and dining district that generates around 10% of the city's annual sales tax revenue. Business owners argue that implementing paid street parking could change the character of the area and drive away customers, potentially resulting in a loss of tax revenue for the city.

The details

The city currently charges for parking in less convenient garages, while street parking in Old Town has been free for up to two hours. However, officials say the current "upside down" parking model needs to be addressed, and the $2 per hour fee would help offset the cost of operating parking in Fort Collins. Local shop owners like Howard Wasserman of Curiosities and George Grossman of Happy Lucky's Teahouse strongly oppose the plan, arguing it will create a "barrier to coming down" and change the "inviting, welcoming" atmosphere of Old Town.

  • The City of Fort Collins plans to introduce the $2 per hour street parking fee in Old Town starting in 2027.
  • In January 2026, the city told CBS News Colorado they were considering the paid parking proposal.

The players

Howard Wasserman

Owner of Curiosities, a shop in Old Town Fort Collins.

George Grossman

Owner of Happy Lucky's Teahouse, a business in Old Town Fort Collins.

City of Fort Collins

The local government in Fort Collins, Colorado that is proposing the paid street parking plan for Old Town.

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What they’re saying

“In my opinion, it puts up a barrier to coming down.”

— Howard Wasserman, Owner of Curiosities

“How will our community respond to that? Will they still come down? Will they come down less? Will it change the time of day they come down?”

— Howard Wasserman, Owner of Curiosities

“I look at a parking spot, and I see an asset. It is an asset for our community to bring people down to shop, support local businesses, support local jobs, and support our community. And charging for that would change the fabric, change the character.”

— George Grossman, Owner of Happy Lucky's Teahouse

What’s next

The City of Fort Collins plans to continue engaging with Old Town business owners to gather feedback and shape the proposed paid parking updates. If the plan moves forward as currently outlined, the $2 per hour street parking fees would be implemented in Old Town starting in 2027.

The takeaway

This dispute over paid parking in Old Town Fort Collins highlights the delicate balance between municipal finances and supporting the vibrancy of local businesses. While the city aims to create a self-sustaining parking system, business owners fear the fees could undermine the unique character and accessibility that has made Old Town a popular destination, potentially impacting their bottom lines and the broader community.