Morgan County Vehicle Impound Guide

The 7:00 AM slot is the single opportunity for release before the regular work week for those arrested over the weekend in Morgan County. Bond hearings for Morgan County are conducted at 7:00 AM on Sunday and 7:00 AM on Monday.

Vehicle Impound After a DUI in Morgan County, Colorado

If you've been arrested for DUI in Morgan County, Colorado, your vehicle was likely impounded. Understanding the impound process is crucial to minimizing costs and getting your vehicle back as quickly as possible. Unlike jurisdictions with centralized municipal impound lots, Morgan County utilizes a "rotation list" of private towing contractors.

Where is My Car?

Upon a DUI arrest in Morgan County, the officer does not personally select the tow company. Dispatch contacts the next vendor on the rotation list. A dominant operator in the region is Wiggins Junction Towing & Roadside. While they have multiple locations, including Wiggins, Sterling, Byers and Brighton, keep in mind your vehicle may be transported to any of these facilities. If arrested on the outskirts of Fort Morgan, your vehicle might be towed to Wiggins (15 miles west) or Sterling (45 miles east). This complicates the retrieval process. Contact the Fort Morgan Police Department (FMPD), the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) or the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) to confirm where your vehicle was towed.

Retrieving Your Vehicle: The Impound Release Gauntlet

Getting your car back involves several steps, and the regulations are strict. One major issue is the requirement for a valid driver's license to remove the vehicle. If your license was confiscated due to Colorado’s Express Consent laws (failed or refused breath test), you'll face an immediate hurdle.

To retrieve your car without a valid license, you must:

• Present a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a passport or Colorado ID) to prove ownership.
• Be accompanied by a "proxy driver"—a second individual with a valid driver's license.

You also need proof of ownership (Registration or Title) and valid insurance. Often, these documents are locked inside the impounded vehicle. You'll need to request a "personal property retrieval" (which may incur a gate fee or labor charge) to access the vehicle and retrieve the documents before processing the release. If the vehicle is not registered or insured, it cannot be driven off the lot, requiring a second tow to a private residence or mechanic.

The Cost of Impound

The cost of impound increases with every hour of delay. While specific numbers are not available, the base tow rate typically ranges from $150 to $300, depending on the vehicle size and time of tow. Storage fees accrue daily, often calculated by the calendar date (not 24-hour periods). Administrative fees are added if the vehicle sits for more than a few days (typically after 72 hours) to cover notification and lien processing.

Strategic Insight: If an arrest occurs on Friday night, don't wait for the defendant to be released on Monday. By Monday, the car has accrued three days of storage. Utilize a Power of Attorney or a Notarized Letter of Authorization to retrieve the vehicle immediately on Saturday, minimizing storage fees and preventing the accumulation of administrative notification charges. While Wiggins Junction accepts major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover) and Venmo, the cardholder must typically be present.

The Morgan County Combined Court is located at 400 Warner Street, Fort Morgan, CO 80701.