Custer County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Custer County

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

The Sheriff's Office places an administrative hold on every vehicle impounded for DUI. You cannot bypass this. When a driver is arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a blood alcohol limit of 0.08 or higher under Colorado law § 42-4-1301, the vehicle is immediately towed to a secured lot. This action is taken to clear the roadway and ensure public safety.

A law enforcement-ordered impound is separate from standard civil towing. Colorado House Bill 22-1314 (HB22-1314) established protections that allow vehicle owners to retrieve their cars from private property tows by paying 15% of the total bill. These payment plan protections do not apply to criminal law enforcement impounds. You must pay the full balance to retrieve your vehicle.

Where Is Your Car?

Your vehicle is held at the contracted impound lot in Westcliffe, Colorado. The Sheriff's Office utilizes a local towing carrier to handle all roadside impounds originating within the local jurisdiction.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting deputy or trooper will complete a tow report during the booking process. This document lists the name of the towing carrier and the location of the impound lot.
• Call the Sheriff's Office: If you do not have your paperwork, contact the Sheriff's Office non-emergency line.
• Reference your booking details: Provide the dispatcher with your full name, the date of your arrest, and your vehicle's license plate number to confirm the storage location.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

The towing company cannot legally release your vehicle without a "Tow Release" form. This form must be obtained directly from the Sheriff's Office before you visit the impound lot.

Required Documents

To obtain the Tow Release form at the Sheriff's Office, located at 702 Rosita Ave, Westcliffe, the registered owner must present:

• A valid photo identification card.
• Proof of ownership, such as the vehicle title or active registration.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

Your driver's license was likely seized during the arrest. The Sheriff's Office will not issue a release form to an unlicensed driver, nor will the tow lot allow an unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle.

You must bring a second person who has a valid driver's license to drive the vehicle off the lot. If the registered owner is unable to attend the release meeting in person, the proxy driver must present:

• Their own valid driver's license.
• A signed and notarized letter of authorization from the registered owner.
• The original vehicle title or registration.

Towing and Storage Costs

All towing and storage fees are regulated by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. These fees accumulate quickly and must be paid in full.

• Mileage Fees: The base mileage rate is $4.05 per mile. A dynamic fuel surcharge is adjusted monthly based on Department of Energy diesel prices. For February 2026, this fuel surcharge is $0.25 per mile. A 15-mile tow from Wetmore to Westcliffe costs approximately $60.75 in mileage fees alone.
• Storage Fees: The maximum rate for vehicle storage is $47.12 per 24-hour period. The storage clock begins ticking the moment the vehicle enters the impound lot.
• Administrative Fees: A notification fee ranging from $75.00 to $150.00 is charged to cover the cost of sending certified mail to the owner or lienholder.
• After-Hours Release: If you attempt to retrieve your vehicle on a Saturday, Sunday, or after 5:00 PM on weekdays, you will be charged an additional after-hours release fee of $103.70.

The Weekend Trap

If you are arrested on a Friday night, the vehicle will remain in the lot until Monday morning. The Sheriff's Office does not process Tow Release forms over the weekend. This delay automatically adds three days of storage fees, totaling $141.36, before you can even request the release paperwork.

Payment Logistics

Fees are paid directly to the towing company, not the Sheriff's Office. Most towing operators require cash or certified funds for law enforcement impounds. This creates a specific three-step logistical loop:

1. Go to the Sheriff's Office at 702 Rosita Ave in Westcliffe to obtain the physical Tow Release form.
2. Go to a local bank in Westcliffe to withdraw the exact cash or purchase a cashier's check.
3. Go to the tow lot in Westcliffe to pay the fees and retrieve the vehicle.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees accumulate daily. Delaying retrieval by even one day increases your total financial obligation.

After 30 Days

Under Colorado law, an unclaimed vehicle is declared abandoned. The towing carrier can initiate a lien sale to recover towing and storage costs after 30 days. Once the lien sale process is finalized, you lose ownership of the vehicle.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you cannot cover the immediate costs, contact a family member or friend to assist with the payment. Because Colorado HB22-1314 protections do not apply to law enforcement-ordered criminal impounds, towing companies are not legally required to offer payment plans for DUI holds. You must pay the full balance to secure the release of the vehicle.

After Retrieval

• Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before leaving the impound lot.
• Document the physical condition of the exterior and interior with photos and video.
• If you discover any new damage, report it to the lot manager in writing immediately before driving the vehicle off the premises.