Gilpin County Vehicle Impound Guide

{ "county": "Gilpin County", "state": "Colorado", "population": 5963, "population_rank": 47, "dui_arrests_annual": "CONFIRMED UNAVAILABLE", "dui_arrests_year": "2024", "impound": { "name": "Blackhawk Towing & Recovery LLC / Rocky Mountain Towing", "address": "130 Jankowski Dr, Black Hawk, CO 80422", "phone": "(720) 313-7177", "hours": "M-F 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM", "daily_rate": 46.08, "tow_fee": 273.57 }, "jail": { "name": "Gilpin County Detention Facility", "address": "2960 Dory Hill Road, Suite 300, Black Hawk, CO 80422", "phone": "(303) 582-3576", "inmate_search_url": "CONFIRMED UNAVAILABLE", "bail_dui_first": 1000, "bail_dui_second": 3000 }, "court": { "name": "Gilpin Combined Court", "address": "2960 Dory Hill Road, Suite 200, Black Hawk, CO 80422", "phone": "(303) 582-5522", "case_lookup_url": "https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/dockets" }, "dmv": { "name": "Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles - Main Office (Denver)", "address": "1351 5th St., Suite 100, Denver, CO 80204", "phone": "(303) 205-5613", "hearing_deadline_days": 7 }, "providers": { "iid": null, "scram": null } }

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# Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Gilpin County

Being arrested for DUI in Gilpin County can be a stressful and confusing experience. One of your immediate concerns is likely, "Where is my car, and how do I get it back?" This guide provides the essential steps to retrieve your vehicle quickly and efficiently, minimizing storage fees and further complications. Due to the mountainous terrain and narrow roadways, vehicles are rarely left at the roadside after a DUI arrest in Gilpin County; they are towed to ensure safety and prevent obstruction.

## Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

After a DUI arrest, your vehicle is typically impounded and towed to a designated impound lot. This is standard procedure to ensure public safety and prevent further incidents. The arresting officer will arrange for a towing company to remove your vehicle from the scene. Understanding this process is the first step in getting your car back.

## Where Is Your Car?

Your vehicle is likely at **Blackhawk Towing & Recovery LLC / Rocky Mountain Towing**, located at 130 Jankowski Dr, Black Hawk, CO 80422. You can contact them at (720) 313-7177 to verify they have your vehicle. Blackhawk Towing & Recovery LLC / Rocky Mountain Towing is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Keep in mind that Rocky Mountain Towing services Central City and Black Hawk.

Because DUI incidents frequently occur on the geographic borders of Gilpin, Jefferson, and Clear Creek counties, vehicles may be towed by agencies operating out of neighboring jurisdictions based on the exact mile marker of the traffic stop.

Other lots used in the area include:

* Allied Towing, 2821 Colorado Blvd, Idaho Springs, CO 80452. Phone: (303) 567-4262.
* Scorpion Towing, 2808 Colorado Blvd, Idaho Springs, CO 80452. Phone: (303) 567-4486.
* Help Towing, 63 Main Street, Rollinsville, CO 80474. Phone: (303) 258-8698.

### How to Find Your Vehicle

* **Check your arrest paperwork:** The tow company's name and contact information are usually listed on the paperwork provided by the arresting officer.
* **Call the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office:** Contact the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office non-emergency dispatch at 303-582-5500. They can provide information on where your vehicle was towed.
* **Reference your booking number:** Have your booking number ready when you call, as this will help them locate your vehicle information more quickly.

## What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Retrieving your vehicle requires specific documentation and payment. Being prepared will streamline the process.

### Required Documents

* **Valid driver's license:** The person retrieving the vehicle must have a valid, unexpired driver's license. If your license was confiscated due to the DUI arrest under Colorado's Express Consent Law, you will need someone else with a valid license to pick up the vehicle.
* **Vehicle registration or title:** You must provide proof of ownership, such as the vehicle's registration or title.
* **Proof of insurance:** Current and valid proof of auto insurance for the vehicle.
* **Payment for fees:** Be prepared to pay all towing and storage fees.

### If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended or confiscated, you have two options:

* **Have a licensed friend or family member retrieve it:** They will need their valid driver's license, a signed authorization letter from you, and the vehicle's title or registration.
* **Pay to have the vehicle towed again:** You can have the vehicle towed from the impound lot to your home or another location. This will incur additional towing fees.

## Costs & Fees in Gilpin County

Understanding the costs involved is crucial to avoid surprises.

The towing fee to retrieve your vehicle from Blackhawk Towing & Recovery LLC / Rocky Mountain Towing is $273.57 per hour (Base law enforcement rate for GVWR < 10,000 lbs, billable in quarter-hour increments). The daily storage rate is $46.08 per 24 hours for vehicles with a GVWR less than 10,000 lbs.

**IMPORTANT**: Storage fees accumulate every day, starting the moment your vehicle is towed. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to minimize expenses. An admin/processing fee of $150.00 Statutory Notification Fee may be applied if the vehicle is towed from public property and left beyond 48 hours.

### Payment

Call Blackhawk Towing & Recovery LLC / Rocky Mountain Towing at (720) 313-7177 in advance to confirm accepted payment methods. They typically accept cash, Visa, and Mastercard. Note that credit cards are subject to a statutory surcharge of up to 4%.

## Timeline

Time is of the essence when retrieving your vehicle.

### Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle is towed. Every day your car remains at the impound lot, you incur additional charges.

### After 30 Days

In Colorado, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale to recover their costs. Do not let it reach this point, as you risk losing your vehicle permanently.

## If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you're struggling to afford the impound fees, consider these options:

* **Contact a family member or friend:** Ask for assistance in covering the costs.
* **Ask the impound lot if a payment plan is available:** Some impound lots may offer payment plans or arrangements.
* **Consult with a DUI attorney:** A DUI attorney may be able to negotiate fees or challenge their validity in certain circumstances.
* **Gilpin Cares:** Gilpin Cares is a collaborative initiative between the Gilpin County Public Health Agency and local first responders, connects residents with the Jefferson Center (303-425-0300) for local tele-health and mobile medication-assisted treatment (MAT), as well as linking defendants to Advocates For Recovery for peer-run support networks.

## After Retrieval

Once you've retrieved your vehicle, take these precautions:

* **Inspect the vehicle immediately before leaving the lot:** Check for any damage that may have occurred while the vehicle was in impound.
* **Document any damage with photos:** Take clear photos of any damage as evidence.
* **Report any damage to the lot manager in writing before you drive away:** Obtain a written acknowledgment of your report.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can I get my personal belongings out of my car before retrieving it?*A: Under Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulations, you are legally entitled to retrieve essential items from your impounded vehicle without being charged an access fee. These items include prescription medications, medical equipment, child restraint systems, identification documents, cellular telephones, and money intended to pay the towing bill.

**Q: What if the car is not registered in my name?*A: If you are not the registered owner, you will need a notarized Absentee Authorization and Hold Harmless Agreement from the registered owner, explicitly naming you as the authorized person to retrieve the vehicle. This document must include the vehicle's VIN, make, and model.

**Q: What happens if I miss the deadline to retrieve my car?*A: If you fail to retrieve your vehicle within a certain timeframe (typically 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale to recover their costs. You will lose ownership of the vehicle.