Vail uses an incremental fine system for first, second, third and fourth tier municipal offense categories for repeat violations of the same offense. 

Violators will be subjected to increased fines based on the number of violations a person accumulates.

Exceptions are: Municipal traffic infractions and Deceptive Use of Ski Facility, for which the fine shall be $500 for the first offense, and for any subsequent offense, penalty assessment shall be unavailable.

Penalty Assessment Notice 

The penalty assessment notice is indicated on the summons and complaint and includes the fine amount.  If the alleged offender who was issued a penalty assessment chooses to acknowledge their guilt, they may pay the specified fine by phone, in person or by mail at the Vail Municipal Court within the time specified in the notice.  If they choose not to acknowledge their guilt and pay the applicable fine, they shall appear as required in the summons and complaint.

Failure to pay the fine or appear in court could constitute a separate offense of “Failure to Obey a Summons” and a warrant will be issued for your arrest and/or a judgment entered against you.

 Vail Municipal Fine Schedule

How to pay for a penalty assessment notice

• Tickets can be paid 7 – 10 days after issuance.
• If tickets are paid, you do not need to appear in Court.
• You are able to pay tickets until 4:30 p.m. on the night before your court appearance date indicated on the penalty assessment notice. If you do not pay prior to the due date, you must appear in court, or prior to the assigned court date shown on your ticket.

An online payment method for tickets other than parking tickets is not yet available. 

Option 1:  Pay your ticket before the due date

• Pay in person: Pay your ticket at the Vail Municipal Court Office at 75 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Methods of in-person payment include cash, money order, debit or credit card.
• Pay by mail:  Send a check or money order made payable to the “Town of Vail”, along with your signed ticket to Vail Municipal Court, 75 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657.  Do not mail cash.
• Pay by phone:  Call the Vail Municipal Court Office at (970) 479-2129 with your debit or credit card details between the hours of 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Option 2:  pay your ticket on the due date

If your ticket is not paid to the Town of Vail before the due date, you must make your payment in person to the Vail Municipal Court Office on the court appearance date indicated on your penalty assessment notice. 

If you are not disputing a ticket but require time to pay the fine, contact the Vail Municipal Court at 970-479-2129 or ERivera@vail.gov.

Option 3:  Pay your ticket after the due date

Contact Vail Municipal Court at 970-479-2129 for instructions.

How to dispute a penalty assessment ticket

You are to appear on your assigned court date or contact Vail Municipal Court at (970) 479-2129 or  ERivera@vail.gov.

To explore your options when you do not live in the area, go to out-of-state-or- town defendants' page.  

If you do not pay the ticket, dispute the ticket, or make a plea in court, you will automatically be found guilty on the ticket's court appearance date.