I was visiting Breckenridge with friends Friday. I am from Minnesota, you know, the “friendly state.” My car has Minnesota plates and a blue current and valid handicapped placard that was hanging from my rearview mirror (prominently displayed) while I was parked in a handicap-labeled parking spot. We had lunch at Giampietro’s and went shopping at friendly, fun local stores. When we returned to my vehicle, it had a parking violation and payment envelope on the window.
We went to the courthouse across the street, and they told us to go two blocks down the road because this was a Breckenridge ticket not a county ticket. We went to that Breckenridge office, and they directed us to the Breck Park office at 311 Main Street because Breckenridge outsources the parking ticket division.
I asked why I had gotten this ticket when the Colorado State Statute 42-4-1208 clearly states I (an out of stater) can park in the Colorado handicapped designated areas under the 23CFR1235 section of the Colorado State Statute. The female in the Breck Park office said, “It doesn’t matter what the state law is, we follow the rules the Town of Breckenridge has given us.” Further in the conversation, she mentioned revenue is down, so they need to be more vigilant in ticketing people.
The friendly service and hospitality industry sure are being damaged by this parking ticketing office. It left me and my friends feeling very unwelcome. I know that is not what Breckenridge would want.