Just in time for the fall 2014 semester, UCCS Parking and Transportation Services will overhaul the campus parking system in an effort to make parking more user friendly and to increase the number of available spots.
The changes include renumbering the existing lots and categorizing each lot by a number, color and shape.
“The current parking system was developed 16 years ago,” Jim Spice, executive director, Parking and Transportation Services, said. “We’ve outgrown that system and feel that it’s time to revamp it and make it more user friendly.”
Currently, both numbers and letters are used, which can be confusing to users. Under the new system, every lot will be given a new three-digit number, as well as a color code and shape.
According to Spice, the new numbering system allows for growth and flexibility in the future, while the colors and shape help quickly identify lots.
Parking permits will have corresponding colors and shapes on them so drivers can easily determine if their permit is valid in the lot.
Permitted lots located away from central campus such as Lot N in front of University Hall or Lot 12 next to the Lane Center will be designated by an orange diamond and a 100-series number.
A yellow circle and 200-series numbers will identify central campus lots. For example, Lot 1 will turn into Lot 220 while Lot 4 will become Lot 224.
The 40 parking spots located behind campus along Mountain Lion Way will be designated by 300-series numbers and a blue square. These spots will be reserved solely for university employees, a first in UCCS history.
A green triangle will designate the new Alpine Garage, which is scheduled to open in August. Of the 1,234 parking spots, 1094 will be reserved for housing students. According to Spice, the other 140 remaining spaces will be reserved for visitor parking.
Red signs and 400-series numbers will identify time- and use-restricted spots, such as 15 minute loading zones, while free lots at and near the Four Diamond Sports Complex will have purple signs and 500-series numbers.
According to Spice, the new system frees the top levels of the current parking garage and allows for more commuter student parking. Along with a new surface lot on the east side of campus scheduled to open in August, Spice estimates more than 700 more permitted parking spots than last year will be available to commuter students.
Permit prices to increase
Permit prices will increase roughly 3 percent next year, though Spice said the increase is unrelated to the changes.
“Last year was the first time we’d raised prices in more than six years, and it was a large increase of almost 20 percent,” Spice said. “Many universities just increase by a small amount each year rather than waiting several years before increasing. We feel this is a better option and allows us to stay current with the increased cost of upkeep and maintenance.”
Individuals wary of the increased costs have new options to help make parking more affordable.
For the first time, faculty and staff will be able to buy an Evening Permit valid after 4:15 p.m. Monday–Thursday, and anytime on Friday.
Commuter students, faculty, and staff will be able to purchase an Alpine Garage Permit, which is valid anytime in the Alpine Garage. This permit will only be available for the next few years, as eventually housing student vehicles will fill the Alpine Garage once the new housing village has been completed.
Faculty, staff and students will also be able to take advantage of the new parking lot on the east side of campus by purchasing a Border Permit valid in any 100-series lot.
According to Spice, both the Alpine Garage Permit and the Border Permit are discounted by roughly 25 percent.
For more information about employee parking permits, visit: http://www.uccs.edu/Documents/pts/Employee-Prices.pdf.
For more information about student permits, visit: http://www.uccs.edu/Documents/pts/Commuter-Prices.pdf.
For more information about residential permits, visit: http://www.uccs.edu/Documents/pts/Resident-Prices.pdf.
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