Who doesn’t like free stuff? As college students, we find ourselves paying for more than we expect. Books, classes and meal plans are just a few parts of college that demand money from our pockets. So why pay more by purchasing a parking pass when you can park in the Albertson’s lot, either in front or behind the building, for free?

I started parking at the Albertson’s lot in Jan. 2016, my second semester of freshman year. I’ve parked in front, on the side and behind the building ever since. I’ve parked there so many times I began to recognize the same people everyday, showing they value the free space just as much as I do. It may be small, but there is tremendous value knowing there is a free, secure parking spot early in the morning, which allows for a bit less stress to start the busy day.

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Ever since Albertson’s went out of business, more and more students have migrated to the lot, making it a bit harder to find a spot in the morning. But no matter how many times I’ve driven into the lot, I always find an empty space, even with the bundles of cars.
It’s a noticeable feature because I continuously hear students complain how hard it is to find parking on campus, even though they have their parking pass. I can’t imagine paying for something that you’re not even receiving.

I certainly don’t consider the parking passes cheap, even if they are valid for the entire school year. The commuter pass is $110, the residents pass is $135 and the value pass, where you’ll have to walk even further to reach campus, is $50. Meanwhile, the Albertson’s lot is right across the street from campus, free of charge.

Oh yeah, you also won’t get hit with a fine if you use the wrong pass in the wrong lot. You don’t have to worry about fines because there’s no time enforcement or parking sticker that tells you where to park. Free of charge from the moment you arrive til the moment your day at school is over.

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Depending on where your first class is, the walk to get to your building can take some time. To give an idea, it usually takes 10 minutes to Houston Hall, five minutes to get to Escalante and about 2-3 minutes to reach the Maverick Center. It’s nothing to fuss over, all it means is a need for planning.

Colorado Mesa University already has their fair share of lots all around on campus. Students pay, and I’m sure many are happy with their parking arrangements. The select few, however, aren’t happy paying that much with no guarantee.

That problem doesn’t exist at the Albertson’s lot, which is such a breath of fresh air. One less thing I need to worry about with so much going on daily during school days.

CMU has their parking spaces, so it’s obviously easy for me to say they shouldn’t buy the lot for more campus parking. Until another business comes along to claim the front of the lot, it should be ours, the ones who have been parking there for so long and the others who wish to take advantage of such a good deal. And once that business comes along, if it does, I’m sure they will let us park in the back, just as Albertson’s did, which still makes it a great deal for free parking.

The lot has been my parking destination for so long that I now see it as a personal home for my car.

I’m comfortable knowing I’m getting a great deal. I park for free, always find a spot in the lot, whether it’s in front or behind the building, and get to class on time. I’m saving money shying away from a parking pass. Thankfully, I’m not paying for a pass I can’t even put to use because there isn’t enough space. A hell of a deal if you ask me.