Teller County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Teller County, CO: Complete Guide

Being arrested for DUI in Teller County can be a disorienting experience. You're likely facing immediate questions about getting out of jail, retrieving your vehicle, and navigating the legal system. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the DUI process specific to Teller County, outlining the critical steps you need to take and the resources available to you.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Teller County

After a DUI arrest in Teller County, you'll be taken into custody by the arresting officer, who may be from the Teller County Sheriff's Office. You will then be transported to the Teller County Jail located in Divide for booking. The entire process, from arrest to release, involves several critical steps that require immediate attention to protect your rights and future.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

• Arrest and Initial Processing: Following the arrest, you will be taken to the Teller County Jail at 288 Weaverville Road, Divide, CO 80814.
• Booking: The booking process involves recording your personal information, photographing you, and taking your fingerprints. Your personal effects will be inventoried and stored. According to the Teller County Sheriff’s Office, keys to impounded vehicles are typically transferred to the tow company or placed in the property locker.
• Phone Calls: Communication out of the Teller County Jail is restricted. Inmates have access to telephones in the dayrooms to make collect or prepaid calls. These calls are subject to monitoring and recording. Family members cannot call to speak to an inmate directly. However, in verified emergencies, a family member can call 719-687-7770 and leave a detailed message, including the inmate's full name, alien registration number (if applicable), and the caller’s contact information.
• Bail: Bail is set according to the 4th Judicial District’s standardized bond schedule unless a judge orders otherwise. For a first-offense DUI, the standard bond amount is $1,000. You can post bail in several ways: cash bond, surety bond through a licensed bail bondsman, personal recognizance (PR) bond (requires judge approval), or property bond. The Teller County Sheriff must release a defendant within six hours after a bond is set and the defendant has returned to the jail, as mandated by Colorado House Bill 1280 (C.R.S. 16-4-102). However, this can be extended if the defendant is still intoxicated. The Sheriff is permitted to charge a $10 bond fee and a maximum 3.5% credit card processing fee.
• Sobriety Screening: A primary determinant of release timing is your sobriety. The jail adheres to strict safety protocols regarding the release of intoxicated individuals. Regardless of how quickly bail is posted, you will not be released until your Breath Alcohol Content (BAC) has dropped to a safe level (typically below 0.02 or 0.00).

Critical Deadlines

• ALR Hearing Request: You have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the Colorado DMV to contest the suspension of your driver's license.
• First Court Appearance: The date for your first court appearance will be provided on your paperwork. This is a mandatory appearance at the Teller County Combined Courts in Cripple Creek.
• Vehicle Impound: Under Colorado law (C.R.S. 42-4-1801), a vehicle is legally considered "abandoned" if it remains in an impound lot for 72 hours after the law enforcement agency notifies the owner that it is available for release. This 72-hour threshold is the critical window for retrieval.

DUI Enforcement in Teller County

DUI enforcement in Teller County is taken seriously, particularly on high-traffic corridors like U.S. Highway 24 and State Highway 67. Due to the high volume of tourist traffic to Pikes Peak and the Cripple Creek gaming district, enforcement is often strict.

Local Resources

• Teller County Combined Courts: 101 W. Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813. Operational Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Teller County Jail: 288 Weaverville Road, Divide, CO 80814. For urgent messages to inmates, call 719-687-7770.
• Teller County Sheriff’s Office Records/Evidence division: 719-687-9652 (to obtain a "Release of Vehicle Hold" form).

To find a licensed bail bondsman, you can search the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies database.

What Makes Teller County Different

Several factors make navigating a DUI in Teller County unique:

• Geographic Challenges: Teller County's mountainous terrain and dispersed population centers create logistical challenges. The "Teller County" DUI experience involves a tri-city operation: Divide (Custody), Cripple Creek (Court), and Woodland Park (Services). Access to reliable transportation is critical.
• Vehicle Impoundment: When a driver is arrested and no authorized sober passenger is present, the vehicle is towed. Teller County utilizes a non-consensual tow rotation list to distribute business among qualified operators. The specific company used depends on the geographic zone of the arrest and the rotation cycle. Primary operators include Fred’s Towing (Cascade, CO), Knob Hill Towing (Colorado Springs, CO), and Divide Collision Center (Divide, CO).
• Law Enforcement Hold: If the vehicle contains evidence or is subject to forfeiture analysis, the Sheriff’s Office places a hold on the vehicle. You must contact the Sheriff’s Office Records/Evidence division (719-687-9652) to obtain a "Release of Vehicle Hold" form (typically SH-CR-94) before the tow company can release the vehicle.
• Teller County Jail Commissary: To facilitate financial transactions for inmates (for commissary or phone time), the facility utilizes the JailATM system. Family members can deposit funds online via the JailATM website using credit or debit cards or use the mobile kiosk located in the lobby of the Teller County Jail at 288 Weaverville Road. The kiosk is accessible 24/7 and accepts cash, Visa, and MasterCard. The kiosk does not dispense change; cash depositors must insert the exact amount they wish to credit to the inmate’s account.

After posting bail, immediately contact the Teller County Combined Courts at 101 W. Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 to confirm your next court date and understand any specific requirements.