Fort Collins runs on a tide of students. Colorado State University turns over thousands of renters every August and May, and the apartment communities and HOAs around campus and Old Town feel every move-in weekend. The properties that handle parking well are the ones that take staff out of the loop and keep clean records — which is exactly where Colorado's towing rules get strict.
What Colorado law says about towing from private property
Colorado's Towing Bill of Rights (C.R.S. § 40-10.1-405, as amended by HB22-1314 and HB24-1051) is among the most prescriptive in the country:
- Signs must be at least two square feet, lettering one inch or taller, printed in both English and Spanish, and permanently mounted at each entryway facing both the street and the parking area.
- A towing carrier cannot remove a vehicle without the property owner's documented, signed authorization obtained within the prior 24 hours — no blanket or automated pre-approval.
- Booting is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, including maximum fees.
How Fort Collins operators stay compliant and get paid
Per-tow authorization means you need to know, on demand, whether a specific car is allowed there. OpenParking gives your team that answer instantly.
- Plate-level permits for residents and guests, so authorization is a live lookup — vital during CSU move-in churn.
- A timestamped record behind every permit, so any tow you sign off on is backed by data.
- QR-code signage that lets guests self-register and pay on the spot.
Why Fort Collins properties choose OpenParking
Guests scan a QR code, register their plate, and pay directly to you — your property keeps 100% of the parking revenue via Stripe. Five-minute setup, no contract, $50/month flat with a free 14-day trial.
This page is general information about Colorado parking enforcement, not legal advice. Confirm current Towing Bill of Rights requirements with a Colorado attorney or your local ordinance before towing.