Rio Blanco County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Rio Blanco County, Colorado
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Rio Blanco County may vary. Contact the impound lot directly for exact costs.
Select a pickup date to
see cost estimate
The First 48 Hours Are Critical
After a arrest in Rio Blanco County, your vehicle is likely towed to an impound lot. Storage fees accumulate daily, making time your biggest enemy.
What Happens Immediately After Arrest
- 1
Vehicle is towed (usually within 30 minutes of arrest)
- 2
Tow company notifies impound lot (charges start immediately)
- 3
Storage fees begin accruing daily in Rio Blanco County
- 4
Administrative fees added (varies by lot)
Documents You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle
- Valid photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- Vehicle registration or title
- Proof of insurance
- Payment for all fees (see calculator above)
- Release authorization (if not the registered owner)
Can Someone Else Pick Up My Car?
Yes, but they'll need:
- • Written authorization from the registered owner
- • Copy of owner's ID
- • Their own valid ID
- • Proof of insurance in their name or the owner's name
Find Impound Lots in Rio Blanco County
Call Before You Go
Verify your vehicle is at this lot and confirm the exact amount owed before making the trip. Hours and fees may change without notice.
The Impound “Poverty Trap”
Many people can't afford to get their car out immediately, but waiting only makes it worse.
Here's the vicious cycle:
Can't afford the first 3 days of storage + admin fees
Wait a week to save money → fees double
Can't get to work without car → lose income
Wait 2 weeks → fees triple or quadruple
After 30 days → Car may be auctioned by the lot
What You Can Do
- • Borrow money from family/friends (pay them back later, cheaper than daily fees)
- • Use a credit card (even with interest, cheaper than impound fees)
- • Sell non-essential items quickly
- • Ask your employer for an advance
- • Check if your auto insurance covers towing/storage (some policies do)
Valley Repair & Towing serves as the primary law enforcement rotation tow for the Meeker Police Department and the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office in the eastern sector of the county. This includes arrests in Meeker, along the Highway 13 corridor, and in the White River valley.
Vehicle Impound After a DUI in Rio Blanco County: What You Need to Know
If you've been arrested for DUI in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, understanding the vehicle impound process is crucial. Due to the county's unique geography and logistical challenges, recovering your vehicle can be a complex process.
The Two Sectors: Rio Blanco County is divided into two sectors for towing services: the eastern sector (Meeker and surrounding areas) and the western sector (Rangely and Dinosaur). Knowing where your arrest occurred is the first step.
Eastern Sector (Meeker) Vehicle Impound
If your arrest occurred in Meeker, along the Highway 13 corridor, or in the White River valley, your vehicle was likely towed by Valley Repair & Towing.
Valley Repair & Towing:
- Address: Not publicly available. Contact through Meeker PD or Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office.
- Operational Insight: Valley Repair & Towing is closed on weekends. If you are arrested late Friday, you will likely not be able to communicate with them until Monday.
Western Sector (Rangely and Dinosaur) Vehicle Impound
If your arrest occurred in Rangely, Dinosaur, or along the CO-64 and CO-139 corridors, RF & Son Recoveries may have towed your vehicle. However, the Rangely Police Department may utilize a local municipal lot or smaller local sub-contractor for temporary holding. It is imperative to verify the physical location of the vehicle immediately upon release.
RF & Son Recoveries:
- Operational Insight: RF & Son is based out of Loma/Mack, which is approximately 70 miles south of Rangely over Douglas Pass (CO-139).
Fees and Storage
Vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVWR incur storage fees of approximately $47.12 per 24-hour period. This means a Friday night arrest when Valley Repair is the towing company will result in a minimum of $141.36 in storage fees (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), in addition to the base tow rate (often $200+).
Clearing the Law Enforcement Hold
Before you can retrieve your vehicle, you must clear the "Law Enforcement Hold" with the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office (RBCSO) Civil/Records Division.
- Contact the Records Division at (970) 878-9630.
- Ask for Office Manager Nicole Mendenhall or Records Technician Nancy Murphy.
- The office is open Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM).
The registered owner must contact Records. If the vehicle is no longer needed for evidence, the Records staff will update the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system or fax a release form to the tow vendor.
Required Documents at the Lot
Once the hold is lifted, you must present the following at the tow yard:
- Valid Driver’s License: If your license was seized, present the "Notice of Revocation/Temporary Permit" (yellow form) or a valid ID card. If your license is suspended, a licensed driver must accompany you.
- Proof of Ownership: Current Registration or Title.
- Proof of Insurance: Must be current.
Cash remains the most expeditious payment method in rural logistics to avoid system down-time or card declines.
Contact the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office (RBCSO) Civil/Records Division at (970) 878-9630.
Sources
Colorado Transportation Code
Rio Blanco County Towing Regulations
Colorado Department of Licensing and Regulation
24/7 Legal Support
Need a Attorney in Rio Blanco County?
Get connected with experienced attorneys who know Rio Blanco County courts and can fight for the best outcome.