Parking Regulations
Welcome to the Town of Crested Butte! We're proud to be a walkable, bike-friendly community, but we also recognize that driving and parking are sometimes necessary.
Parking is free in Crested Butte and available in the public parking lots (shown in blue on the map to the right) or in the rights of way on Town streets with some restrictions on time or permit requirements. Read below to learn more about different parking regulations.
Parking regulations within the Town of Crested Butte are enforced by two entities: the Marshal’s Office and Park Crested Butte.
The Marshal’s Office handles winter parking regulations and issues citations for violations such as ADA and loading zone infractions. Owners of towed vehicles must contact the Marshal’s Office. Please call 970-349-5231 or stop by the office at 508 Maroon Avenue to have your vehicle released.
Park Crested Butte, contracted by the Town, enforces two-hour parking limits on Elk Avenue and throughout the business core, including neighborhoods around the bus stops. All parking permits are issued by Interstate Parking.
If you receive a parking ticket, please check it carefully to identify the issuing agency for the most efficient service.
Two-Hour Parking On Elk Avenue
Parking on Elk Avenue and nearby side streets is free, but limited to two hours (shown in yellow on the map to the right).
Two-hour parking is enforced by Park Crested Butte during:
Winter season: December 20, 2025 to April 6, 2026
Summer season: June 27, 2026 to September 28, 2026
Permit Parking Areas
Sopris, Maroon, and the 10 Block of Elk Avenue: Parking requires a resident, employee, or contractor permit (shown in light purple on the map) in the 10 block of Elk Avenue and west of Sixth Street on Sopris and Maroon.
If you don’t have a permit, parking is limited to two hours.
Permits are free and available at the link to the right.
Enforcement by Park Crested Butte occurs during:
Winter season: December 20, 2025 to April 6, 2026
Summer season: June 27, 2026 to September 28, 2026
Skier Permit Parking: During the winter, on-street parking on the 500–600 blocks of Butte and Teocalli Avenue, and the east portion of the 600 block of Elk Avenue require a skier parking permit (shown in dark purple on the map).
Permits are free and require proof of Gunnison County residency.
This permit is for on-street parking only — the Four-Way parking lot does not require a permit.
Enforcement by Park Crested Butte during the winter season only: December 20, 2025 to April 6, 2026
Center for the Arts Permit Area: During events with over 400 attendees, parking in the hatched red areas surrounding the Center for the Arts is limited to resident-only permit parking.
Enforcement is managed by Park Crested Butte.
For questions about this program, please contact the Center for the Arts directly.
Permit Applications and Renewals:
Apply for permits using the link to the right.
All permits are free and require proof of residency or employment.
Starting in Fall 2025, permits must be renewed every two years to ensure records remain up to date.
Winter Parking Rules
From November 1 through April 30, winter parking regulations take precedence over all two-hour and permit parking zones. Overnight parking is only allowed on one side of the street, as noted below.
Enforcement is managed by the Town Marshals.
Odd/Even Day Parking Rules (10:00 PM – 10:00 AM)
Follow the calendar date and corresponding street signage:
Odd days (e.g., Jan 3, 5, 31): Park on the green sign side of the street.
Even days (e.g., Jan 2, 4): Park on the blue sign side.
Reminder: Months with 31 days have two odd days in a row (the 31st and the 1st).
Exceptions & Additional Restrictions:
Elk Avenue (Sixth St. to First St.) and Public Parking Lots (Shown in Blue on the Map):
No overnight parking from 2:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
Odd/even parking rules do not apply in this section.
Third Street (from alley north of Elk to alley south of Elk):
No parking from 2:00 AM to 7:00 AM daily.
Stay Alert to Changing Conditions
Parking zones in the core business area may change throughout the winter depending on weather and snow removal needs. Please always follow posted signage on Elk Avenue.
Designated Loading Zones
There are several loading zones throughout the core business area of Town (Elk Ave and its neighbors). Please make every effort to park for a reasonable period and allow others to use those spaces for loading and unloading only. With the exception of obvious delivery vehicles, less conspicuous vehicles making deliveries should turn on their flashers. Please do not block the traveled portion of any roadway without specific permission from the Marshal’s Office.
Fire Hydrant Zones
Don’t stop, stand or park a vehicle (within five feet along the curb in any direction), in any fire hydrant zone or in any manner so as to obstruct access to a fire hydrant.