Rio Blanco County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Rio Blanco County

After a DUI arrest in Rio Blanco County, your vehicle is typically impounded. This is standard procedure to prevent further operation of the vehicle by an impaired driver and to ensure public safety. Understanding the steps to retrieve your vehicle, the associated costs, and your rights is crucial to minimizing expenses and complications.

Where Is Your Car?

The first step is determining where your vehicle was towed. Rio Blanco County utilizes multiple towing services, and the location of your vehicle depends on where the arrest occurred.

How to Find Your Vehicle

Several avenues can help you locate your impounded vehicle:

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer typically provides documentation that includes the name of the towing company and potentially the impound lot's location.
• Call the Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: Contact the Sheriff's Office at (970) 878-9630. They can provide information on where your vehicle was towed.
• Reference your booking number: Having your booking number ready when calling the Sheriff's Office will help them locate your vehicle information faster.

For arrests occurring in Rangely, Dinosaur, or along the CO-64 and CO-139 corridors, the vehicle may have been towed by RF & Son Recoveries, which operates out of Loma/Mack, approximately 70 miles south of Rangely. The main office can be reached at (970) 858-4455, with a 24-hour line at (970) 260-0455. However, the Rangely Police Department may use a local municipal lot or smaller subcontractor for temporary holding.

For arrests occurring in the eastern sector of Rio Blanco County, the vehicle may have been towed to Valley Repair & Towing in Meeker, located at 431 E. Market St. They can be reached at (970) 878-3316. Be aware that Valley Repair & Towing is closed on weekends, which will impact your ability to retrieve the vehicle.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Before heading to the impound lot, ensure you have all the necessary documentation. Towing vendors are legally prohibited from releasing a vehicle impounded for a DUI without explicit authorization from the seizing agency. This means you need to clear the "Law Enforcement Hold" first.

The mechanism for clearing a hold involves direct interaction with the Records Division of the arresting agency, which is the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office (RBCSO) Civil/Records Division. Contact them at (970) 878-9630. Ask for Office Manager Nicole Mendenhall or Records Technician Nancy Murphy. Their hours are 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.

Important: Do not send a family member or third party to the tow yard without confirmation from the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office that the hold has been lifted. Tow drivers operate on strict liability and will not release based on verbal assurances.

Once the hold is lifted, you will need the following:

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license (or a licensed person picking it up for you)
• Vehicle registration or title
• Proof of insurance
• Payment for fees

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended due to the DUI arrest, you cannot retrieve the vehicle yourself. In this case:

• Have a licensed friend or family member retrieve it: They must have a valid driver's license.
• They need: Their valid license, a signed authorization letter from you granting them permission to retrieve the vehicle, and the vehicle title or registration.

Costs & Fees in Rio Blanco County

Be prepared for potentially significant costs to retrieve your vehicle. All non-consensual tows ordered by law enforcement in Rio Blanco County are governed by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Towing Rules.

Typical towing fees in Colorado range from $150 to $300. Daily storage fees are approximately $47.12 per 24-hour period for vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVWR and $58.13 per 24-hour period for vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR. Fees vary by lot, so call ahead to confirm before you go.

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate every day. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to minimize expenses. The closure of Valley Repair & Towing on weekends guarantees a minimum of $141.36 in storage fees (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) for a Friday night arrest, in addition to the base tow rate.

Payment

Call the impound lot in advance to confirm accepted payment methods. Most accept cash and credit cards (Visa/MasterCard). Some may accept checks with prior approval.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle is towed. Every day that passes costs more money.

After 30 Days

Most states, including Colorado, allow the lot to initiate a lien sale if the vehicle is unclaimed after a certain period (typically 30 days). Do not let it reach this point, as you will lose ownership of your vehicle.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you are struggling to afford the impound fees:

• Contact a family member or friend to help cover the costs.
• Ask the impound lot if a payment plan is available. Some impound lots may offer payment plans, but this is not guaranteed.

After Retrieval

• Inspect the vehicle immediately before leaving the lot.
• Document any damage with photos.
• Report any damage to the lot manager in writing before you drive away. Make sure you get a signed copy of the report for your records.

It is also important to remember your right to retrieve essential personal property from the vehicle even if you cannot immediately pay the full impound fees. Under PUC rules, the towing carrier must release the following items without payment: prescription medication, medical equipment, child restraint systems, credit cards and cash (if needed to pay the tow bill), cellular telephones, and state/federal identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if I don't pick up my car from the impound lot in Rio Blanco County? If you don't retrieve your vehicle within a certain timeframe (usually 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale, and you will lose ownership of the vehicle.
2. Can I get my personal belongings out of my impounded car in Rio Blanco County before paying the fees? Yes. The towing carrier must release certain essential items like medication, medical equipment, car seats, payment methods, phones, and ID, even if you can't pay the full bill immediately.
3. What if the tow company in Rio Blanco County refuses to release my personal property? Reference the PUC "Consumer Bill of Rights" and the specific rule regarding "Law Enforcement Tows." While they may charge a "gate fee" or "after-hours access fee" (up to ~$100), they cannot hold protected items as collateral for the entire debt.