Monthly parking in downtown Denver — rate overview
| Area / Garage Type | Monthly Rate | Daily Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fringe downtown (RiNo, Five Points) | $80–$120 | $10–$14 | Surface lots, limited covered |
| LoDo / Lower Downtown | $120–$160 | $14–$20 | Mix of surface & structured |
| Union Station area | $140–$200 | $15–$25 | Structured garages, A Line access |
| 16th Street Mall core | $160–$220 | $18–$30 | Premium central locations |
Monthly rates shown are approximate. Contact individual garages for current availability and contract terms. Many garages require a 1–3 month minimum for monthly parking.
Best areas for long-term parking in downtown Denver
Union Station & LoDo
The area around Denver Union Station (17th & Wynkoop) has the highest concentration of structured parking garages in downtown Denver. Monthly rates here run $140–$200/month. The key advantage: you're steps from the RTD A Line at Union Station, which runs directly to Denver International Airport in 37 minutes. For travelers who want to park downtown long-term and fly from DIA, this area is uniquely well-positioned.
Major garages in this area include the Union Station parking structures, the Denver Pavilions garage, and several privately operated garages along 16th and 17th Streets. Availability for monthly contracts can be tight — most have waitlists during high-demand periods.
Larimer Square & central LoDo
The Larimer Square and Market Street corridor offers solid long-term garage parking at $120–$160/month. This area is well-served by multiple RTD light rail and bus routes, connecting to Union Station and the broader network. Several garages offer covered monthly parking — particularly useful for Denver's hail season (May–September).
RiNo & Five Points (budget option)
River North (RiNo) and Five Points, just east and north of downtown, offer the cheapest long-term parking accessible to downtown — typically $80–$120/month for monthly contracts. These are predominantly surface lots, so covered options are limited. For budget-conscious long-term parkers willing to walk 10–15 minutes to their downtown destination or take the free 16th Street Mall shuttle, RiNo lots are the best value.
Park downtown and take the train to DIA
One underused strategy: park long-term near Denver Union Station and take the RTD A Line commuter rail to Denver International Airport. The A Line runs from Union Station directly to DEN in 37 minutes. Trains run every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes off-peak, from roughly 3am to midnight. One-way fare: $10.50.
This makes downtown parking a genuine DIA option for people who:
- Already commute downtown and want to leave from work on a travel day
- Live in an area with good downtown access but difficult DIA access
- Want to avoid DIA-area parking lots entirely and park in a familiar, central location
- Are traveling with carry-on only and find the train convenient
The math for a 7-day trip: downtown parking at $15/day = $105 + $21 round-trip train fare = $126 total. Compare to off-airport DIA parking at $9/day = $63. Downtown parking + train costs more but offers different advantages — particularly for those who find Union Station more accessible than DIA's off-airport lots.
Tips for finding monthly parking downtown Denver
- Call garages directly — many monthly contracts are not listed online and are negotiated directly with the garage manager.
- Check ParkWhiz, SpotHero, and LAZ Parking for available monthly contracts in your target area.
- Ask about early-bird daily rates ($8–12) if you need flexible parking rather than a fixed monthly contract.
- Consider garages within 2–3 blocks of your destination — prices drop significantly just off the primary corridors.
- For covered monthly parking, expect a $20–40/month premium over open-air rates in the same area.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the cheapest long-term parking in downtown Denver?
The cheapest long-term parking in downtown Denver is typically in surface lots and garages on the edges of downtown — particularly in the Curtis Park, River North (RiNo), and Five Points areas bordering LoDo. Monthly rates in those fringe areas run $80–$120/month. Core LoDo and Union Station garages typically cost $120–$200/month for monthly contracts. Daily rates for extended stays in downtown Denver range from $10–$20/day depending on the garage and day of week.
Can I park downtown and take the train to DIA?
Yes. Park near Denver Union Station and ride the RTD A Line commuter rail directly to Denver International Airport in 37 minutes. The A Line runs every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes off-peak. One-way fare from Union Station to DIA is $10.50. This makes downtown long-term parking a viable option for DIA travelers, especially those who commute downtown anyway or who prefer parking in a familiar location.