Crowley County Vehicle Impound Guide

Title: Getting Your Car Back After a DUI Arrest in Ordway

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

Under Colorado Revised Statute § 42-4-1301, law enforcement officers who arrest a driver for driving under the influence will order the immediate towing and impoundment of the vehicle. This occurs immediately at the scene of the arrest. Your car is gone. The arresting officer has no control over the vehicle once the tow truck departs. You are now responsible for all fees associated with the recovery process. The vehicle is held in a secured storage lot until you complete the necessary administrative steps to secure its release.

Where Is Your Car?

The local Sheriff's Office utilizes a rotation list of local towing operators to clear vehicles from arrest scenes. The specific location of your vehicle depends on where the traffic stop occurred.

The primary storage facility for vehicles towed within the municipal limits of Ordway is Chubbuck Motor Co.

• Address: 330 Main Street, Ordway, CO 81063
• Phone: (719) 267-3571

If the arrest occurred near the southern border or the Otero County line, the arresting officer may have dispatched a secondary operator. B&B Towing, based in Rocky Ford, frequently services the southern corridor near the State Highway 71 and Highway 50 interchange. Another regional backup provider on the rotation list is Lucky's Towing.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The towing company details are typically written on the impound form or the summons provided to you upon release.
• Call dispatch: Contact the Sheriff's Office non-emergency dispatch line at (719) 267-5555 Ext 2. You must provide your full name, date of arrest, and vehicle description to confirm the storage location. Do not assume your vehicle is at Chubbuck Motor Co., especially if arrested by the Colorado State Patrol near a county border.
• Reference your booking number: If you were held at the jail facility, your booking paperwork will link to the vehicle impound report.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

A common error is traveling directly to the tow yard. You cannot retrieve your vehicle from Chubbuck Motor Co. or any other rotation lot without first obtaining a physical release form.

Required Documents

You must visit the Sheriff's Office administration window at 110 East 6th Street in Ordway to obtain the "Hold Release" form. Bring the following documents to the administration window:

• A valid driver's license.
• Current proof of insurance for the impounded vehicle.
• Current vehicle registration or the physical title proving ownership.

Once the administrative staff verifies these documents, they will issue the release form. You must present this form to the tow lot operator.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license was confiscated or suspended under express consent laws, you cannot drive. You must bring a licensed driver to the impound lot. The lot operator will not allow you to drive the vehicle off the property. The licensed driver must present their physical license.

If you are not the registered owner of the vehicle, the owner must be physically present. Some operators may accept a notarized letter of authorization from the owner, but this is at the discretion of the business owner. Rental vehicles require direct authorization from the rental agency before release.

Costs & Fees in Crowley County

Towing and storage rates are regulated but accumulate daily. Expect the following standard rates:

• Base Tow Fee: Approximately $150 to $250. This rate varies based on the distance from the arrest site to the storage yard in Ordway.
• Daily Storage Rate: Approximately $30 to $50 per day.
• Sheriff's Administrative Fee: Approximately $50.
• After-Hours Gate Fee: $50 to $100 if you request release outside of standard business hours.

Payment

Chubbuck Motor Co. operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They are closed for lunch daily between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. Cash is the preferred method of payment. Cellular and internet service in rural parts of the county can be inconsistent. This often renders card terminals inoperable. Bring exact change to prevent delays.

Timeline

Storage fees begin accruing immediately. If you are released from the jail at 11:45 AM on a Friday, you must act quickly. The tow lot will close for lunch at noon and close for the weekend at 5:00 PM. Missing these windows means your vehicle will remain in storage until Monday morning, adding three days of storage fees to your final bill.

Act Immediately

Retrieve the vehicle within the first 24 hours if possible. A delay of even two days can double your total recovery cost.

After 30 Days

Under Colorado law, unclaimed vehicles are classified as abandoned. The towing company has the legal right to initiate a lien sale after 30 days to recover unpaid towing and storage costs. Once the lien sale is finalized, you lose ownership of the vehicle.

Tow Hearings

If you believe your vehicle was towed without legal authorization, you have the right to request a hearing. You must file a petition at the Combined Court located at 110 East 6th Street, Room 303, Ordway, CO 81063. This petition must be submitted within 10 days of the tow. A nominal filing fee is required to initiate the hearing.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Towing companies are private businesses and are not required to release vehicles without full payment. If you lack the funds, contact a family member or friend to pay the balance. Some operators may negotiate a payment plan, but this is rare and entirely at their discretion.

After Retrieval

Inspect the vehicle's exterior and interior before signing any release paperwork at the lot. Take clear photographs of all four sides of the vehicle while it is still on the tow operator's property. If you discover new body damage or missing personal items, report it to the lot manager in writing before driving away. Once you leave the property, proving the damage occurred during transport or storage is extremely difficult.