Logan County Vehicle Impound Guide

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meta_description: Retrieve an impounded vehicle after a DUI arrest in Sterling, Colorado. Find towing fees, release requirements, and impound lot locations.

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Logan County

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

Colorado law requires law enforcement officers to impound a vehicle following a DUI arrest if no sober, licensed passenger is present to take immediate custody. This action is mandatory. The arresting officer from the Sterling Police Department, the local sheriff's office, or the Colorado State Patrol will contact dispatch to initiate a tow. This is done to mitigate safety risks and state law liability. The vehicle is towed to a designated impound lot, starting a process of daily accumulating fees.

Where Is Your Car?

Towing services in the Eastern Plains region are highly consolidated. The primary provider for law enforcement recovery in this area is Wiggins Junction Towing & Roadside (Sterling Terminal).

• Primary Impound Lot: Wiggins Junction Towing & Roadside (Sterling Terminal)
• Address: 504 S 7th Avenue, Sterling, CO 80751
• Phone: 970-483-7777
• Hours of Operation: 24/7 Dispatch and Operations

Depending on the specific arresting agency and the location of the stop, your vehicle may have been taken to an alternative local yard:

• Little Tornado Towing & Recovery: 15751 Tanya St, Sterling, CO 80751
• A & R Towing: 108 Sugar Mill Rd, Sterling, CO 80751

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer must provide a completed impound form or towing notice which lists the specific towing company.
• Call the non-emergency dispatch line: If the paperwork is missing, contact the arresting agency. For arrests by the local sheriff's office, call their administrative line. For arrests within Sterling city limits, contact the Sterling Police Department.
• Provide your booking details: Have your full name, date of arrest, and vehicle license plate number ready to help dispatchers locate the tow record.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Required Documents

To secure the release of your vehicle, you must present specific documentation at the impound lot office:

• A valid driver's license.
• Proof of ownership, which must be either the vehicle registration or the title.
• A current, matching insurance card for the vehicle.
• Payment for all accrued towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

Under Colorado Express Consent laws, your physical driver's license may have been confiscated. You cannot legally drive the vehicle off the lot.

To retrieve the vehicle, you must still appear in person with a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a state ID card or passport, to prove ownership. You must bring a second individual who possesses a valid driver's license to physically drive the vehicle out of the impound yard. If the vehicle lacks valid registration or active insurance, it cannot be driven under any circumstances. It must be towed from the lot to a private residence or repair shop at your additional expense.

Towing Costs and Fees

Impound fees are regulated by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. These costs accumulate daily and must be paid in full before the vehicle is released.

• Base Hourly Tow Fee: $102.28
• Mileage Fee: $3.80 per mile
• Fuel Surcharge: Added based on current rates
• Daily Storage Rate: $48.19 per day for vehicles under 10,000 lbs, or $59.45 per day for vehicles over 10,000 lbs
• Statutory Notification Fee: $150.00 (assessed for public property impounds)
• After-Hours Release Fee: $106.06 (assessed if you retrieve the vehicle before 8:00 AM, after 5:00 PM, on weekends, or on state holidays)

Payment

Wiggins Junction Towing & Roadside accepts cash, Visa, and Mastercard. A credit card surcharge is permitted pursuant to § 5-2-212, C.R.S. Always call 970-483-7777 in advance to confirm the exact outstanding balance and verify accepted payment methods before traveling to the terminal.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle enters the yard. Delaying retrieval by even a single day increases your financial obligation. To avoid the $106.06 after-hours surcharge, you must complete the release process between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM on a standard business weekday.

After 30 Days

Under Colorado law, if a vehicle remains unclaimed, the towing carrier is authorized to initiate a statutory lien sale to recover unpaid towing and storage costs. State law requires law enforcement to conduct record searches within 10 days of abandonment to begin the notification process. Do not allow your vehicle to remain unclaimed. You will lose ownership and remain liable for any deficiency balance.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you cannot pay the full balance immediately, you still have the legal right to retrieve essential personal property from the vehicle. For a law enforcement-ordered tow, the towing company may charge up to $100.00 per hour to supervise the retrieval of general personal property.

However, Colorado law mandates that specific "protected items" must be released to the owner at no charge, regardless of whether the tow bill has been paid. These protected items include:

• Prescription medications and necessary medical equipment.
• Child restraint systems (car seats).
• Wallets, purses, and state or federal identification.
• Cellular telephones.
• Cash or credit cards, specifically if the funds are to be used for immediate payment of the tow bill.

Be aware that the Colorado "Towing Bill of Rights" (HB22-1314), which allows vehicle retrieval by paying 15% of the bill up to $60, strictly applies to residential Private Property Impounds (PPI). It does not apply to law enforcement-ordered tows resulting from a DUI arrest. You must pay the full balance to release the vehicle.

After Retrieval

Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before leaving the impound lot. Document any new physical damage with clear, time-stamped photographs. Report any discrepancies or damage to the lot manager in writing before driving or towing the vehicle past the gate. Once the vehicle leaves the property, proving liability for damage becomes significantly more difficult.