Custer County DUI Bail Information
Understanding bail amounts, the release process, and what happens after a DUI arrest in Custer County.
Typical Bail Range
For a first-offense DUI in Custer County, bail typically ranges from:
First-time DUI offense
Bail Can Be Higher If:
- High BAC level (≥0.15)
- Accident or injury involved
- Minor passenger in vehicle
- Prior DUI offenses
- Probation or parole violation
- Additional charges (evading arrest, assault, etc.)
County Jail Information
Fremont County Jail (Cañon City)
Inmate Search
Use the online inmate locator to check booking status, bail amount, and release information.
What to Expect
Booking Process
2-8 hours for processing, fingerprinting, and photographing
Arraignment
Within 24-48 hours, bail set by judge
Release Options
Cash bond, bail bond, or personal recognizance (rare for DUI)
How Bail Bonds Work
Option 1: Cash Bond (Pay Full Amount)
How it works: Pay the full bail amount to the court
Pros: Get full amount back after case concludes (minus court fees)
Cons: Requires full amount upfront ($1,000-$2,000)
Option 2: Bail Bondsman (Most Common)
How it works: Pay 10-15% fee to bondsman, they post full bail
Cost: Typically 10% of bail amount (non-refundable)
Example: On $1,000 bail = $100 fee
Pros: Only need 10% upfront instead of full amount
Cons: Fee is non-refundable, may require collateral, co-signer assumes liability
Co-Signer Liability Warning
Important for Co-Signers:
- You are 100% liable if defendant does not appear in court
- You must pay the full bail amount if defendant skips
- Bondsman can seize collateral (house, car, etc.)
- You cannot cancel the bond - only the court can
- Liability continues until case is fully resolved
Release Timeline
Arrest & Booking (2-8 hours)
Fingerprinting, photographing, background check, medical screening
Arraignment (Within 24-48 hours)
First court appearance, judge sets bail amount, charges are read
Bail Posted (1-4 hours)
Family contacts bondsman, paperwork signed, fee paid
Release (2-6 hours)
Processing, release paperwork, return of personal property, court date assigned
Total Time Estimate
From arrest to release: 12-48 hours depending on booking workload, time of arrest (weekends take longer), and how quickly bail is posted.
After Release: Critical Deadlines
1. Request MVD Hearing - 15 Days
You have only 15 days from arrest to request your administrative license hearing. This is separate from your criminal case.
2. Retrieve Your Vehicle
Impound fees accrue daily. Get your car as soon as possible to avoid hundreds in storage fees.
Calculate Impound Costs3. Contact a Bail Bondsman
Need fast release in Custer County? Contact a verified 24/7 Bail Bondsman to start the release process immediately.
Find a Bondsman4. Appear at ALL Court Dates
Missing court will result in bond forfeiture, arrest warrant, and additional charges. Your co-signer will be liable for the full bail amount.
Understanding Bail in Custer permanently closed its local jail on January 6, 2023. Because of this closure, anyone arrested for a DUI within the county must be transported to the Fremont County Detention Center (FCDC) in Cañon City for booking and detention. This transfer covers a distance of approximately 33 miles. The transport takes up to an hour. The arresting officer must conduct a 2.5 to 3-hour round trip to secure a detainee. Consequently, the entire bail and release process takes place outside of Custer, at the Fremont facility.
Typical Bail Amounts for DUI
The 11th Judicial District Chief Judge sets the standard bond schedule. For a first-offense DUI without aggravating factors, a defendant can obtain release without waiting to see a judge.
- DUI (1st Offense): Bond ranges from $1,000 to $2,000.
- DWAI: Bond ranges from $800 to $1,000.
- Aggravating Factors: Prior offenses or a Persistent Drunk Driver designation increase the bond to $3,000 or more. This also triggers a mandatory court appearance before release to establish pretrial sobriety monitoring.
How to Post Bail
Securing a release from the Fremont facility requires specific payment methods and administrative steps. FCDC assesses a non-refundable $30.00 booking fee for all inmates.
Option 1: cash bail
Cash payments must be made in the exact amount. Cashier's checks must be made payable to Fremont County Combined Courts. The sheriff's office provides a remote payment option through Allpaid (formerly GovPayNet) using the specific Payment Location Code (PLC) a004w6. This remote system allows family members to post bond without traveling to Cañon City.
Option 2: bail bondsman
A licensed bail bondsman can post the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium. This premium is typically 10% to 15% of the total bail. The bondsman will require a valid photo identification, proof of collateral, or a co-signer to secure the bond. Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Custer County in our bail bond directory.
Option 3: property bond
Colorado law permits using real estate as collateral for a bond. The property must have equity valued at one and a half to two times the bail amount. This method requires court approval and is not processed directly at the detention facility.
Option 4: personal recognizance (pr bond)
A PR bond allows release based on a written promise to appear in court. The court may grant a PR bond for first-time offenders without aggravating factors, but this requires an appearance before a judge.
Timeline: How Long Until Release?
Booking and release processing at FCDC halts during daily shift changes. These blackout periods occur around 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Posting a bond during these hours will cause immediate delays.
The facility enforces a strict sober release policy. Staff will not release any individual who remains intoxicated. The jail often requires a breath alcohol content (BrAC) of 0.000 before discharge. For an individual with a high blood alcohol concentration at arrest, such as 0.20, this drying out period can extend detention by 8 to 12 hours after booking is completed.
Once released, the individual is discharged directly onto the sidewalk in Cañon City. This location is 33 miles away from Westcliffe. No public transit connects the two cities, which means individuals must arrange private transportation.
What Happens After Posting Bail
A defendant must comply with all bond conditions to remain out of custody. The court mandates that the defendant attend all scheduled hearings at the Custer Combined Court, located at 205 S. 6th St., Westcliffe, CO 81252.
The courthouse operates on a restricted schedule. It is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It closes daily for lunch from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM. The courthouse is closed on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Failure to appear in court results in immediate bond forfeiture. The judge will issue an active bench warrant for the defendant's arrest.
Special Considerations
The permanent closure of the Custer jail on January 6, 2023, creates a logistical hurdle. Because FCDC is 33 miles away, the arrest and transport process takes several hours. This delay extends the period a defendant spends in custody prior to booking. Also, retrieving an impounded vehicle requires traveling back to Westcliffe, where the sheriff's office must issue a physical tow release form at 702 Rosita Ave before any tow lot will release the vehicle.