Ticket DIA — Lost Tickets, Citations & How to Pay

Two kinds of "DIA ticket"

When travelers search "ticket DIA" they usually mean one of two things:

1. The entry ticket — the paper or QR ticket dispensed at the lot entry gate. You insert it at the pay-on-foot station or hand it to the cashier at exit. Lost entry tickets trigger a lost-ticket fee.
2. A parking citation — issued by DIA parking enforcement for violations like overstayed loading zones, abandoned vehicles, or disabled-space misuse. These come with a fine and a 21-day appeal window.

Lost DIA parking ticket — what to do

DIA's on-airport lots all use License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras at entry. This means even if you physically lose your ticket, the system likely still has a record of your entry time. Steps:

1. Drive to the exit lane.
2. Press the "help" or "call attendant" button at the pay station.
3. Tell the attendant you lost your ticket. They will look up your plate.
4. If LPR finds your entry, you pay the actual time parked at the standard rate.
5. If LPR can't find an entry (rare — usually only if your plate was obscured), you pay the maximum lost-ticket fee.
6. Bring photo ID and proof of vehicle ownership (registration) in case the attendant requests it.

DIA lost-ticket fees by lot (2026)

Lost-ticket fee = daily max × number of days. Source: flydenver.com (May 14, 2025 rates).

DIA parking citations — common violations

• Curbside violations — leaving a vehicle unattended on the terminal curb, or staying beyond the 5-minute active-loading limit.
• Cell phone lot misuse — using the cell phone lot as parking (it's wait-only; drivers must remain in the vehicle).
• Disabled space violation — parking in a disabled spot without a placard. Substantial fine ($100+).
• Fire lane / restricted zone — parking in clearly marked restricted areas.
• Abandoned vehicle — vehicles left without movement beyond the lot's posted max (typically 30 days).

How to pay a DIA parking citation

1. Visit flydenver.com and navigate to the parking citation payment portal.
2. Enter your citation number (printed on the ticket).
3. Pay with credit/debit card.
4. Alternatively, mail a check or money order to the address on the citation, or visit the DIA administration office during business hours.

How to dispute a DIA parking citation

1. File within 21 days of citation issuance.
2. Submit via the flydenver.com online appeal form or by mail.
3. Include the citation number, contact info, your written explanation, and any supporting evidence (photos, receipts, witness statements).
4. A hearing officer reviews. You may request an in-person hearing.
5. If upheld, you have a final deadline to pay. If dismissed, no further action.

Avoiding DIA parking tickets entirely

The cheapest way to deal with a DIA ticket is to never get one. Practical advice:

• Use the DIA cell phone lot when waiting for arrivals — it's free, but you must stay in your vehicle.
• For any stay beyond 5 minutes at the curb, move to a real lot — Economy ($10/day), covered garage ($7/hr, first 30 min free), or off-airport.
• Take a photo of your entry ticket on your phone right after you pull it — this gives you a digital backup if the paper ticket is lost.
• If you park off-airport (Canopy, ParkDIA, etc.), you don't deal with DIA tickets at all — those lots manage their own gates and citations.