Have you ever wanted a little flexibility with your RTD Eco Pass? Say the occasional ability to park, for example?

Now it's possible. Auraria parking services has just launched a new Eco Pass & Parking Plus program for faculty and staff interested in continuing their mass transit commutes, but who might occasionally need to drive. "This program is not designed to meet everyone's needs," explains Mark Gallagher, director of parking and transportation for AHEC, "but it is for the person who still wants to participate in Eco Pass and might have an off-campus lunch or meeting from time to time."

Eco Pass & Parking Plus gives you an Eco Pass for $32/month, plus two permit-lot parking passes for an extra $10. This guarantees you a spot in permit lots M, L, I and G for the two times a month you park, just as if you'd purchased a monthly pass for $84. You can also purchase additional parking passes for $5 each.

Gallagher expects about 50 to 70 people to take advantage of the program or 10 percent of the 500-plus individuals at Metro, UCD, CCD and AHEC who already buy monthly passes. Currently there are 157 Metro employees participating.

To sign up for Eco Pass & Parking Plus, visit the Auraria parking office at 7th and Lawrence Way (across from the King Center).