Date: 201507
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: DEN.Airport, CO
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class B DEN
ATC / advisory: TRACON D01
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Flying
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Undershoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: The PDC cleared us to depart on SPAZZ3; except climb and maintain 10;000 FT. As we were climbing out of 7;000 FT from runway 08 on the SPAZZ3 departure we were given an ATC clearance to climb via the SID. We crossed KIDNG at or below 10;000 FT and leveled off at that altitude. We were shortly after queried by ATC if we were going to keep climbing as we seemed to be leveling off. We answered we were given a clearance to climb via the SID but to be restricted at 10;000 FT. ATC then clarified the top altitude of the SID was FL230 and gave us a new altitude and heading to continue on our climb out. Root cause:1. Our misunderstanding of the clearance 'climb via SID'. 2. The lack of a new assigned altitude or top altitude for the SID contributed to our misunderstanding. We are used to be given a new altitude assignment; even when we are cleared to 'climb via the SID'. ATC usually issues a 'climb via the SID and maintain 'X' altitude'. The lack of a new altitude triggered us to maintain 10;000ft to be compliant with our PDC.3. Mindset/preconceived idea and expectation based on what we are used to doing when flying SIDs.I would like to clarify/correct bullet # 2 in order to be more specific on the root cause:2. The lack of a new assigned altitude or top altitude for the SID on the ATC clearance over the radio at 7;000 FT contributed to my misunderstanding in flying the clearance. We are used to be given a new altitude assignment when flying SIDs. Either by being cleared over the radio to climb via the SID with a top altitude; or via the SID except and maintain X altitude; or a climb and maintain altitude issuance. They are different clearances and have different intents but the fact that we did not receive a new altitude triggered us to maintain 10;000 FT to be compliant with our PDC.A couple of things will help me avoid the recurrence of this event in the future:1. Just read again the company bulletin which clearly states what the ATC clearances and their respective intents are for our lateral and vertical navigation.2. Share this event on my SID departure briefings; as an example; to make sure me and the captain brief every single possibility of outcome and avoid future relapses. If I am not the pilot flying I will also mention that; to ensure awareness between both of us.3. Expect climb via SIDs with and without a next altitude or top altitude assignment. Avoid having a preconceived mindset that every controller will issue a next altitude to climb to.




Synopsis: CRJ-700 First Officer reported they failed to continue the climb beyond the first restriction because of lack of clarity within the cockpit of the meaning of a 'climb via' clearance.