Facility Overview
The University of Denver Station parking facility is a multi-level, covered concrete parking garage located at 1901 Buchtel Blvd S in Denver, Colorado. Positioned on the northern perimeter of the University of Denver (DU) campus alongside the Interstate 25 corridor, this Regional Transportation District (RTD) Park-n-Ride structure features approximately 540 well-marked stalls. It provides sheltered parking shielded from Colorado's winter snowfalls and summer sun, directly adjacent to the light rail boarding platforms and regional bus bays. The garage layout includes wide driving aisles, intuitive floor-to-floor ramping, and clear directional wayfinding.
Vehicle suitability accommodates standard passenger sedans, compact crossovers, minivans, full-size SUVs, and standard pickup trucks. The parking garage operates under standard vertical clearance limits of approximately 7 feet 0 inches. Drivers of raised commercial vans, lifted off-road trucks, roof-box-equipped overland vehicles, and campers should confirm height clearances before entering the ramps. High-profile vehicles exceeding garage clearance cannot be accommodated within the covered deck.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Situated in Denver's vibrant University neighborhood, this facility is strategically placed for campus visits, collegiate sports, arts performances, and multimodal transit:
- University of Denver Campus: The north edge of campus sits immediately across Buchtel Boulevard, connected via safe pedestrian crosswalks and walkways (1–3 minutes on foot).
- Ritchie Center & Magness Arena: Home to DU Pioneers NCAA hockey, basketball, and gymnastics, located just an 8- to 10-minute walk (0.4 miles) south of the garage.
- Newman Center for the Performing Arts: Denver's premier acoustic concert hall and theater venue, situated roughly 9 minutes on foot (0.4 miles) south.
- Sturm College of Law & Anderson Academic Commons: Located on the central campus quad within an easy 7- to 10-minute stroll.
- University Boulevard Dining & Nightlife: Popular local spots including The Pioneer bar, Mustard's Last Stand, and campus cafes are a 5- to 8-minute walk away.
- Regional Access: Hop directly onto the light rail platform to reach Downtown Denver, the Colorado Convention Center, Ball Arena, and Empower Field at Mile High without encountering highway congestion or downtown parking garages.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Ingress and egress are straightforward via East Buchtel Boulevard South, accessible directly from South University Boulevard. Its position adjacent to Interstate 25 (Exit 205 at University Boulevard) makes reaching the garage effortless from both northbound and southbound freeway lanes. During peak DU class departure hours and major hockey game dismissals, exiting traffic onto Buchtel Boulevard and University Boulevard can encounter brief queueing, though synchronized signals help maintain steady movement.
The facility doubles as a major multimodal transit hub. Seamless pedestrian pathways lead directly to the University of Denver Station platform, offering direct service along RTD light rail lines (including the E Line toward Union Station and RidgeGate Parkway) and RTD local bus routes (such as Route 24). Protected cycling connections join the Buchtel Trail, giving riders dedicated non-motorized routes into nearby neighborhoods such as Observatory Park, Platt Park, and Washington Park.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Multi-story covered garage providing weather protection across 540 parking stalls.
- Direct elevator and stairway access connecting all garage decks to station platforms and street level.
- Designated ADA accessible parking stalls conveniently located near elevator cores.
- Automated digital pay-by-plate kiosks and mobile app payment integration (Parking.com app and ParkMobile under RTD Zone 7036).
- Bike storage facilities, including outdoor bicycle racks and secure on-demand bike lockers.
- Well-lit parking decks, emergency call buttons, and regular transit security and local police patrols.
Ideal For
- DU Students, Faculty, and Campus Visitors: Fast, economical parking within footsteps of university classrooms, dormitories, and administration buildings.
- College Sports & Arts Attendees: Convenient parking for fans heading to hockey matchups at Magness Arena or concerts at the Newman Center.
- Downtown & DTC Commuters: Park-n-Ride travelers looking to board the E Line light rail to Denver Union Station or southward into the Denver Tech Center.
- Stadium & Arena Eventgoers: Game-day attendees traveling to Empower Field at Mile High or Ball Arena who prefer avoiding expensive downtown event rates and post-game traffic jams.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Before parking, check your vehicle's license plate registration status. RTD offers free daytime parking for vehicles registered within the RTD taxing district for up to 24 consecutive hours. Vehicles registered outside the RTD district are subject to a nominal daily fee ($4.00), which must be paid prior to boarding trains or buses via on-site pay kiosks or mobile payment apps using your license plate number.
Importantly, unlike some suburban Park-n-Ride locations, overnight parking is strictly prohibited at University of Denver Station. Always verify posted signage upon arrival. On game days for the DU Pioneers or during major campus commencement ceremonies, arrive 30 to 45 minutes ahead of event start times, as lower-level spaces fill rapidly with campus visitors and local event attendees.