DENVER - Formal charges have been filed against an 85-year-old man accused of attacking a person with his cane during a dispute over a disabled parking place.

John Copeland was arrested January 2, two weeks after he allegedly used his cane to hit a city volunteer who monitors handicap parking spaces.

He spent two nights in jail.

Copeland told 7NEWS the volunteer officer never identified himself when he took Copeland's expired placard. Copeland said he tried to grab it back.

"He slammed the door in my chest," said Copeland. "I had my cane in my hand and I let go of the door and hit him once."

Copeland is charged with assault on an at-risk adult, because the parking volunteer is 66 years old.