Fight a missing or obscured sign parking ticket in Denver
You were cited under D.R.M.C. § 54-482 for violating a posted parking restriction (e.g., no-parking, loading-only, or another posted prohibition), but the sign governing that restriction was missing, obscured, or otherwise not legibly posted where you parked.
the statement
Copy, customize, submit.
Statement I will present at my Final Hearing Denver County Court — Final Hearing on a Parking Citation Re: Citation No. [CITATION NUMBER] Plate: [PLATE] ([STATE]) Date/Time: [DATE], [TIME] Location cited: [LOCATION] I dispute this citation and ask the judicial officer to find it invalid. On [DATE], my vehicle was parked at [LOCATION]. At the time, the sign governing the restriction I am accused of violating was [DESCRIBE THE DEFECT — missing entirely, obscured by a tree/vehicle/sign, damaged or faded to illegibility, or facing away from the parking spot]. I am not disputing that I simply failed to notice a properly posted sign — I am asserting that the sign itself was not legibly posted at the location. Under D.R.M.C. § 54-482(a), it is unlawful to park in violation of the provisions on an authorized posted sign — but the City bears the burden of proving the validity of this citation at this Final Hearing. Because the sign was not properly and legibly posted where I parked, the City cannot show I violated a restriction I had a legible opportunity to see and obey. I ask that this citation be found invalid on that basis. Attached: [time- and date-stamped photos of the parking spot and sign location showing the defect, wide photos of the full block face, photos of nearby street-name signs confirming the location, and any 311 report filed about the missing/damaged sign]. Respectfully, [YOUR NAME] [ADDRESS] [PHONE] [EMAIL]
This template is for informational use only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Square-bracketed placeholders must be replaced with your specific facts. Rules and deadlines can change; if your situation is urgent, complicated, or high-stakes, email info@imfrustrated.org for a free conversation with a volunteer attorney before you send it.
how to submit it
A few things before you send.
- 1Note your citation's issue date and case/summons number, and figure out which window you're in: 0–20 calendar days old (eligible for a Final Hearing), 21–120 days old (Final Hearing no longer available, but you can file a general motion with Denver County Court), or over 120 days old (a default judgment has already been entered against you).
- 2If your citation is 20 calendar days old or less, go in person to Denver County Court, 1437 Bannock St., Room 140, Denver, CO 80202 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) to schedule a Final Hearing. There is currently no online or mail option to request the hearing — you must appear in person to schedule it.
- 3Gather your evidence before the hearing date: photos, receipts, repair/maintenance records, registration or sale documents, or anything else supporting your specific defense, since Denver's Final Hearing does not accept new evidence submitted only by mail or online in place of your appearance.
- 4Attend the scheduled Final Hearing before a Denver County Court judicial officer. The City has the burden to prove the validity of the citation, and you may present your defense and evidence at that time.
- 5If the judicial officer finds the citation valid, or if you fail to appear, a judgment enters against you for the fine amount plus $26.00 in court costs, and that amount is generally due immediately following the hearing.
- 6If your citation is between 21 and 120 days old, you're no longer eligible for a Final Hearing, but you may file a general motion with Denver County Court asking for judicial review of the citation.
- 7If your citation is over 120 days old, a default judgment has already been entered against you for the fine plus any late fees; you may file a motion with Denver County Court asking the judge to set aside that default judgment, explaining your good reason for not paying or disputing within the 120-day window.
- 8Call the Parking Violations Bureau at 1-866-280-9988 (regular business hours) with questions about a specific citation before your hearing date.
bring receipts
Attach this evidence.
- ✓Time- and date-stamped photos of the parking spot and sign location, showing the sign missing, obscured, damaged, or facing away from view
- ✓Wide photos of the full block face showing no legible restriction sign
- ✓Photos of nearby street-name signs or landmarks to confirm the exact location matches the citation
- ✓A 311 report about the missing/damaged sign, if filed
what Denver rules say
The rule this rests on.
D.R.M.C. § 54-482(a) — Compliance with authorized posted parking signs
As with the broken-meter defense, Denver does not publish a codified 'missing sign' defense provision. § 54-482(a) makes it unlawful to park 'in violation of, or contrary to, the provisions contained on' an authorized posted sign — if the sign itself was not properly posted or legible, that undercuts the City's ability to prove the elements of the violation at the Final Hearing, where 'the city will be required to prove the validity of the citation.' Bring clear, well-documented photos; a bare claim that you didn't notice a sign that was actually posted and legible is unlikely to succeed.
if this doesn’t work
Your next move.
If the judicial officer finds the citation valid, or if you fail to appear, a judgment enters against you for the fine amount plus $26.00 in court costs, generally due immediately. If your citation is between 21 and 120 days old, you're no longer eligible for a Final Hearing, but you may file a general motion with Denver County Court asking for judicial review of the citation. If your citation is over 120 days old, a default judgment has already been entered against you for the fine plus any late fees; you may file a motion with Denver County Court asking the judge to set aside that default judgment for good cause.
questions people ask
FAQ.
Does "I didn't see the sign" count as a defense in Denver?
Not by itself. The defense rests on the sign itself having been missing, obscured, damaged, or otherwise not legibly posted — not on you simply overlooking a sign that was properly there. Bring photographic proof of the defect, not just a claim you didn't notice it.
What photos actually help at the Final Hearing?
Time- and date-stamped photos of the exact sign location showing the defect, a wider shot of the full block face, and photos of nearby street-name signs so the judicial officer can confirm you were parked exactly where the citation says.
Can I submit these photos online or by mail instead of appearing?
No. Denver has no online or mail dispute option — you must appear in person at the scheduled Final Hearing to present this statement and your evidence directly to the judicial officer.
Nervous about sending it yourself?
we’ll read it over with you.
Email the situation and a volunteer attorney will respond. No commitment, no invoice, no judgment — just an honest second pair of eyes from someone who actually understands the law.
info@imfrustrated.org