Saguache County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Saguache County, Colorado
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Saguache County may vary. Contact the impound lot directly for exact costs.
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The First 48 Hours Are Critical
After a arrest in Saguache 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 Saguache 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 Saguache 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)
Upon arrest for DUI in Saguache County, Colorado, the immediate separation of a driver from their vehicle initiates the impoundment process. This creates the first major logistical hurdle for defendants.
Towing Companies and Jurisdictional Areas
Due to Saguache County's large size, a rotation of private towing carriers manages seized vehicles. The specific company dispatched depends on the arrest location, dictated by a rotation list maintained by the Saguache County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) dispatch.
- Northern Sector Arrests (Villa Grove, Poncha Pass, Moffat): Towing companies based in Chaffee County (Salida/Poncha Springs) are typically dispatched. Dark Knight Recovery, based in Poncha Springs, is a primary operator in this sector.
- Southern Sector Arrests (Center, Saguache Town, Hwy 112): Arrests in the south often utilize operators from Alamosa or Monte Vista, such as Western Towing or Spartan Towing.
This geographic split means a defendant arrested in Villa Grove might have their vehicle towed north to Poncha Springs, while they are transported south to the jail in Del Norte (Rio Grande County).
Impound Fees
Towing fees are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Expect to pay close to the upper limits of allowable charges due to the long distances involved.
Releasing Your Vehicle: The 15% Rule
For Law Enforcement Ordered Tows where the hold has been lifted, the tow company must release the vehicle for 15% of the bill (up to a maximum of $60) if the owner signs a promissory note for the remaining balance. This is a critical detail for many defendants to recover their vehicle before storage fees become insurmountable.
Retrieving Personal Property
You have the legal right to immediately retrieve personal belongings like your phone, wallet, and ID from the impounded car for free. Tow yards cannot hold your personal property hostage in exchange for payment.
To coordinate the tow, interlock install, and DMV reinstatement into a single day, you may need to visit Backroads LLC at 1825 State Ave #15, Alamosa.
Sources
Colorado Transportation Code
Saguache County Towing Regulations
Colorado Department of Licensing and Regulation
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