Chaffee County Vehicle Impound Guide

Navigating DUI Impound in Chaffee County: A Practical Guide

If you've been arrested for DUI in Chaffee County, Colorado, your vehicle was likely impounded. Understanding the impound process is crucial to recovering your vehicle quickly and avoiding unnecessary fees. This guide provides specific information to help you navigate the system in Chaffee County.

Where is My Car? Chaffee County Tow Companies

Chaffee County utilizes a rotation system for DUI impounds, meaning the arresting officer will call a specific tow company based on their location. The primary tow companies are:

• A-1 Towing & Recovery: Primarily used by the Salida Police Department (SPD) and the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).
• Gunsmoke Towing: Frequently used by the Buena Vista Police Department (BVPD).

If arrested by the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), your vehicle will usually go to A-1 or Gunsmoke. However, CSP troopers have discretion and may use other regional tow companies if local providers are unavailable or specialized recovery is required. Always confirm the tow destination with the trooper or by calling CSP dispatch.

The "Police Hold" Trap: Getting Your Release Slip

A major hurdle in retrieving your vehicle is the "Police Hold." If the arresting agency suspects the vehicle contains evidence (open containers, drugs) or is subject to asset forfeiture, they will place a hold, preventing the tow yard from releasing it.

Do NOT go to the tow yard first.

1. Contact the Arresting Agency: Call the Records Division of the agency that made the arrest:

• Salida Police Department (SPD): 719-530-2600
• Chaffee County Sheriff's Office (CCSO): 719-539-2596
• Colorado State Patrol (CSP): *CSP

1. Verify Status: Ask specifically: "Is there a hold on my vehicle?"
2. Obtain Release: If a hold exists, you must physically go to the police station or sheriff's office, show ID/ownership, pay any administrative release fees (often around $150), and obtain a hard-copy "Release Slip."
3. Go to Tow Yard: Present the Release Slip to the tow operator.

Documentation is Key: Ownership Rigidity

Tow yards in Chaffee County operate under strict liability laws. They will not release a vehicle to anyone other than the registered owner without specific legal documentation.

Required Documents:

• Valid Driver's License (or temporary permit if DL was seized).
• Current Vehicle Registration (or title).
• Proof of Valid Insurance (Must be current; if expired, the car cannot be driven off the lot and must be towed out).
• Cash/Payment for all fees.

The "Third-Party" Problem: If you are still in jail, a spouse or friend cannot simply pick up the car. The solution is a Notarized Letter of Authorization. This letter must:

• State the owner's full name.
• Authorize the specific third party (full name) to retrieve the vehicle.
• Identify the vehicle by Make, Model, License Plate, and VIN.
• Be signed and notarized.

Tip: Fax or email this document to the tow yard in advance to ensure it meets their specific criteria.

Impound "Gold Dust": Avoiding Rural Pitfalls

• The Lunch Hour Blackout: Rural businesses, including tow yards, often close strictly for lunch (e.g., 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM). Arriving at 12:05 PM means waiting an hour in a parking lot. Always call ahead to confirm the staff is present.
• The Cash King: While credit cards are technically accepted, rural connectivity issues or machine "downtime" can cause delays. Bringing cash is the only way to guarantee a swift transaction and avoid card surcharges.
• Snowbird Laws: In winter, vehicles left on the shoulder (even if not impounded immediately) can be towed for snow removal operations. If you leave your car at the scene of arrest, it is highly likely to be towed rapidly if snow is forecasted.

Jail Release and the "Sober Release" Mandate

After your arrest, you'll be taken to the Chaffee County Detention Center in Salida. The speed of release depends on processing speed and sobriety. Booking typically takes 1-2 hours, but release processing can take an additional 2-4 hours depending on staffing levels.

The "Sober Release" Mandate: The jail adheres to strict liability protocols. A defendant arrested for DUI will not be released until their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) has dropped to a "safe" level (typically 0.00% or below 0.02%). If arrested with a high BAC (e.g., 0.18%), you may be held for 8-12 hours solely to metabolize the alcohol, regardless of whether bond is posted. Families should not drive to the jail until they have confirmed the inmate is "cleared for release."

Bail and Bond Logistics

The 11th Judicial District sets the bond schedule. For a first-offense DUI, the bond is generally $1,000 Cash, Surety, or PR. A second offense often triggers a mandatory condition of Monitored Sobriety (check-ins or ankle monitor) as a condition of bond.

Bond Payment Methods:

• Cash: Must be exact change.
• Credit Card: Accepted via third-party processors (e.g., AllPaid/GovPay) but incurs a service fee of ~3.5%.
• Bondsman: A surety bond requires a non-refundable fee (premium), typically 10-15% of the bond amount.

To verify if there is a hold on your vehicle, call the Salida Police Department Records Division at 719-530-2600.