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Fort Collins Studying Parking Changes In City's Old Town

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - Drivers count themselves lucky if they find a prime parking space in Old Town Fort Collins.

But the city is eyeing a change and wants to open more of those spots to visitors.

"We drove around probably for five minutes all around Mountain (Avenue) and Linden (Street). It's pretty hard to find parking. It's unusual to find parking on the street," resident Gabriella Wessler said.

Fort Collins store owner and former Mayor Susan Kirkpatrick says that on most days, employees take up 20 percent of the spots that could otherwise go to shoppers.

She's heading up the city's new parking advisory board, and she's tasked with finding a fair and functional way to charge.

"It is fair to allow people to choose to pay for the most desirable spots in town," Kirkpatrick said.

Supporters say meters create turnover and encourage more visitors to shop at downtown businesses. Opponents argue charging would take away from old town's charm.

Meters would be much to resident Angelica Onofrio's chagrin: "Oh, I don't like that. It would be like Denver if they put in meters."

The city could install meters that collect payment via a smartphone app, but that would leave out tech-savvy drivers.

"We already have to pay for the parking garage, and that's usually last resort parking. So why should we have to pay on the street as well?" Wessler said.

Drivers don't have to shell out money yet. Old Town's on-street parking remains free for at least another year, while city staff and leaders decide which route they want to take.

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