Crowley County DUI Guide

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Crowley County

State Highway 96 and State Highway 71 serve as the primary transit corridors through this jurisdiction. The Colorado State Patrol and the local Sheriff's Office actively patrol these routes. Although the total population of Crowley County is approximately 5,600, nearly 2,600 of these individuals are incarcerated at the state correctional facility. The actual civilian driving population is closer to 3,000 residents. Because of this low population density, law enforcement visibility is high. Anonymity on these roads is virtually non-existent.

A DUI arrest under C.R.S. 42-4-1301 triggers two separate legal actions. First, you face a criminal prosecution in the local court. Second, you face an administrative license revocation through the Colorado Department of Revenue. This guide outlines the immediate, practical steps required to address both cases.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

The hours immediately following a DUI arrest require quick action to secure release and preserve your driving privileges.

Chemical Testing and Transport

Following a traffic stop, the arresting officer will transport you for chemical testing. The local jurisdiction lacks a major trauma center. If you select a blood test, or if the officer obtains a warrant for a blood draw, you must be transported to the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in La Junta. This transport takes 20 to 30 minutes each way. This delay is a critical factual detail in your case, as blood alcohol levels can change during transit.

Booking at the Jail

Arrestees are booked at the Crowley County Jail, located at 110 East 6th Street, Ordway, CO 81063. Processing times range from one to four hours. Delays occur when the on-duty deputy or dispatcher is responding to emergency calls.

Do not attempt to post bond during shift changes. These occur daily at 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. During these 30-to-45-minute windows, all administrative processing stops for headcounts and staff briefings.

How Bail Works

The local jail operates under the 16th Judicial District Uniform Bond Schedule.

• First-Offense DUI: Bail is set at a standard $1,000.
• Second-Offense DUI: Bail ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 and frequently carries supervised sobriety conditions.

Personal Recognizance (PR) bonds are discretionary. They are generally restricted to local residents with no prior criminal record. Out-of-county drivers are considered flight risks and must post cash or use a surety.

Cash bonds are accepted directly at the jail window. You must provide the exact amount in cash, or present a cashier's check or money order made out to the Crowley County Combined Court. If you cannot pay the full cash amount, you must use a professional bonding service. Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Crowley County in our bail bond directory.

Critical Deadlines

Missing administrative or judicial deadlines will result in the immediate loss of your driving privileges and the issuance of an arrest warrant.

The 7-Day

DMV Hearing Request

If you took a breath test or refused chemical testing, you have exactly 7 days from the date of your arrest to request an Express Consent hearing. If you took a blood test, the 7-day window begins when the Colorado Department of Revenue mails you a Notice of Revocation. This letter is sent only after the lab processes the blood sample, which takes four to eight weeks.

You must submit this request online or via email. Do not rely on postal mail from rural post offices, as routing delays can cause you to miss the strict deadline.

Court Appearance Dates

Your bond paperwork or summons will list a specific date and time for your first court appearance. This is a mandatory appearance. Failing to appear will result in an immediate bench warrant and the forfeiture of your bond.

DUI Enforcement in Crowley County

Local law enforcement agencies focus their resources on specific high-traffic areas and seasonal campaigns.

High-Enforcement Areas

The intersection of State Highway 96 and State Highway 71, known locally as the Ordway Crossroads, is the primary enforcement checkpoint. The Colorado State Patrol regularly conducts saturation patrols along these two highways. Patrol activity also increases near the state correctional facility during shift changes at approximately 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Special Enforcement Programs

The local Sheriff's Office participates in the state-funded Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (LEAF) program. This grant funding pays for increased deputy overtime specifically dedicated to DUI patrols during holiday weekends, including Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and New Year's Eve.

Local Resources

Familiarize yourself with the exact locations and contact details of the agencies handling your case.

Crowley County Combined Court

• Address: 110 East 6th Street, Room 303, Ordway, CO 81063
• Clerk Phone: (719) 267-4468
• Filing Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
• Lunch Closure: The clerk's office is closed daily from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

Crowley County Sheriff's Office and Jail

• Address: 110 East 6th Street, Ordway, CO 81063
• Dispatch Phone: (719) 267-5555 Ext 2

Primary Impound Lot

• Address: 330 Main Street, Ordway, CO 81063
• Phone: (719) 267-3571
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Base Tow Fee: $150 to $250 (varies by distance from the arrest site).
• Daily Storage Fee: $30 to $50 per day.
• Payment: Cash is the standard expectation.

Local Probation Department

• Address: 110 East 6th Street, Room 302, Ordway, CO 81063
• Phone: (719) 384-5973

What Makes Crowley County Different

Understanding the unique operational rules of this rural jurisdiction will prevent delays and additional fees.

The Prison vs. Jail Confusion

A common error involves the distinction between local holding facilities and state correctional facilities. Arrestees are held at the Sheriff's Jail at 110 East 6th Street. The Crowley County Correctional Facility at 6564 Highway 96 is a state prison. The prison staff does not have access to local jail records and cannot process bail bonds.

The "Wrong Office" DMV Trap

The local motor vehicle office at 631 Main Street, Suite 102, Ordway, CO 81063, handles vehicle registrations and license plates only. The staff at this office cannot process driver's license reinstatements, issue restricted licenses, or accept administrative hearing requests. For all driver's license matters, you must use the state portal at Colorado DMV or travel to the State Driver License Office in La Junta at 13 W. 3rd Street.

No Local Specialty Courts

This jurisdiction does not operate a dedicated DUI court or drug court docket. High-risk offenders are supervised through standard probation services in Room 302 of the courthouse. The 16th Judicial District Attorney offers an Adult Diversion Program. This program is discretionary and is limited to first-time offenders with low chemical test results and no aggravating factors, such as accidents or injuries.

To begin resolving your case, obtain your official tow release paperwork from the Sheriff's Office at 110 East 6th Street, Ordway, CO 81063.

Sources

• Colorado Judicial Branch — Crowley County Combined Court
• Colorado Department of Revenue — DMV Portal
• Crowley County Sheriff's Office
• Colorado Department of Corrections — Crowley County Correctional Facility
• Colorado Judicial Branch — Crowley County Judges and Staff