People visiting downtown Morrison will continue to pay to park for the next two years.
The Morrison Town Board on Dec. 7 agreed to extend its contract with Interstate Parking of Colorado for two years, and in exchange for a longer contract, the town will get 50% of the revenue from parking and citations.
When the board started the pilot paid-parking program in mid-June, the town received 40% of the revenues. Between mid-June and the end of October, the total amount brought in by the parking system was $102,000, which means the town’s 40% share was about $40,800 from 48,000 vehicles that parked in downtown Morrison.
Board member Katie Gill, who serves on the town’s parking committee, said one of the goal of paid parking was to stop people from parking in prime spaces while they were on bike rides. The board hoped the parking program would promote parking turnover that would in turn help local businesses.
Board members said while the paid-parking program has had some hiccups, and some residents, tourists and business owners have voiced their displeasure, they believe it is the best course of action for the town.
Interstate Parking of Colorado created a trial parking management system that is free for the first 30 minutes and $1 for the next 30 minutes. The second hour costs $1.50, third hour $2, fourth hour $3 and subsequent hours $5. A violation is $30 and doubles in 10 days for nonpayment.
Interstate Parking of Colorado operates similar systems in Idaho Springs, Breckenridge, Keystone and more. The program uses kiosks placed throughout the downtown area and a smartphone app.
Some business owners have voiced concerns that locals will not frequent their establishments, while others say the program is a good idea because parking spaces turn over more often, allowing more visitors.
Some concerns have been voiced about employees paying high parking rates during shifts or having to walk in the dark to their cars parked in free lots that are further away. The town has tried to address these concerns and offers free parking at Morrison Park and Red Rocks Elementary School on weekends, and employees can park for free on Mount Vernon Street.