Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Parking Rates Updated
New rates aim to better manage limited parking availability and support future airport improvements
PITKIN COUNTY, CO. (August 26, 2026) – Updated parking rates at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) will go into effect Oct. 1, 2026. The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the change rates during a second reading on Wednesday, August 26.
The current maximum daily rates of $12 for the Bear Lot and $6 for the Elk Lot were established in 2010. The new rates are intended to help manage limited parking availability while generating additional revenue to support airport operations and capital improvements.
Under the approved rates, the daily maximum for the short-term Bear Lot will increase to $28, and the daily maximum for the long-term Elk Lot will increase to $15. Hourly pricing will remain and will increase from $2 to $6 per hour in the Bear Lot and from $1 to $3 per hour in the Elk Lot. The first 30 minutes of parking will remain free in both the Bear and the Elk lots.
A surge-pricing structure was introduced in 2019, applying higher rates to certain parking durations to help manage limited parking availability. With the new hourly and daily rates taking effect October 1, the surge-pricing structure will be eliminated, simplifying parking to standard hourly and daily rates.
“The airport has a shortage of parking, so it’s important that we make the best use of the space available,” said Airport Director Diane Jackson. “Our goal is to balance the needs of travelers, airport employees and the community.”
The first phase of the updated parking program also addresses parking for employees who work at the airport. Airport stakeholders, including airlines and vendors, will begin validating parking for employees based on their scheduled shifts. Free parking will apply to the verified shift plus a reasonable period of time for employees to get to their cars at the end of their shift and exit the lot. Parking beyond that period will be charged at the applicable public rate.
Employee vehicles currently account for a significant portion of Elk Lot use. From October 2025 through June 2026, employees accounted for 73% of Elk Lot transactions and occupied an average of 73 spaces each day. During winter periods when the lot exceeded capacity, employee vehicles occupied an average of 141 spaces.
Staff will provide an initial update to the BOCC in October 2026 as part of the airport’s comprehensive rates and charges review and will return to the Board following the closure with results and any recommended changes to employee parking.
The ASE Modernization Project also includes plans to increase parking capacity as part of the airport’s long-term improvements. The future terminal and landside design is being developed to provide additional parking and better accommodate the needs of travelers, employees and airport operations. While those improvements are still in the design process, the updated rates will help ASE better manage the limited parking available today.
Additional revenue generated by the new rates will remain in the Airport Enterprise Fund and will be available to support eligible airport operating and capital needs, including improvements associated with the airport’s ongoing modernization.
For more ASE parking information, visit aspenairport.com/parking.