Bent County Bail Information

Understanding Bail After a DUI Arrest in Bent County

If you're arrested for DUI in Bent County, Colorado, understanding the bail process is crucial. The Bent County Correctional Facility, located at 11560 Road FF.75 in Las Animas, is where you'll likely be processed. This facility, managed by CoreCivic, operates with stricter security protocols than a typical county jail due to its integration with a medium-security DOC inmate population. This means the intake process can be slower, involving deeper background checks and thorough searches.

The 16th Judicial District Bond Schedule: Your Initial Release

When arrested outside of court hours, your release is governed by the 16th Judicial District Bond Schedule. This allows the Sheriff to set bail without a judge's order, provided your offense is eligible. However, a critical point to understand is the "Mandatory Monitored Sobriety" condition. If you have prior alcohol-related convictions (DUI, DWAI, or DUID), you can't simply post the standard bail amount, which is often $1,000.

Instead, you must demonstrate the ability to comply with monitored abstinence from alcohol and illegal drugs. This often delays release until you can sign a contract with a monitoring provider, potentially requiring a wait until the next business day if providers in La Junta are closed. Contacting a local attorney immediately after arrest can help expedite this process.

Domestic Violence Charges: No Bond Until First Appearance

If your DUI arrest involves domestic violence charges, the bond schedule explicitly states "No Bond until first appearance." This means you will be held in custody until you appear before a magistrate for advisement and the issuance of a Mandatory Protection Order (MPO). A Friday night arrest for DV guarantees incarceration until Monday morning (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday), as the 16th Judicial District doesn't typically run a full weekend advisement docket.

Retrieving Your Vehicle and Personal Property

After a DUI arrest, your vehicle is often towed. Rural tow operators in Bent County often operate on thin margins and have rigid payment policies, frequently requiring cash. Daily storage fees typically range from $30-$50 per day. If your arrest occurs on a Friday night and release is delayed until Monday, you'll automatically incur ~$150 in storage fees.

Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulations protect your right to retrieve specific "life-essential" items from your vehicle without paying the tow bill. These items include prescription medications, medical equipment, child restraint systems (car seats), government-issued identification, and credit cards/cash (if used to pay the tow). If you can't afford the tow, prioritize retrieving these items immediately. Tow operators may try to charge a "gate fee," but access to these protected items is guaranteed under PUC rules for non-consensual law enforcement tows.

Navigating Court Logistics in Las Animas

The Bent Combined Court, located at 725 Bent Avenue, Las Animas, CO 81054, handles both County Court (misdemeanor/traffic) and District Court (felony/civil) matters. The Clerk's Office can be reached at 719-456-1353 (Clerk: Anita Kuhn). The court operates Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Be aware of the "Lunch Hour" hard closure from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The Clerk’s Office is locked, and staff are unavailable during this time. Civil Return Dates are Wednesdays at 8:30 AM for County Court and Mondays at 8:30 AM for District Court.

DMV/DPS and License Reinstatement

Bent County is a "service desert" for DMV services. There is no full-service Driver License Office within the county. You must travel to La Junta (Otero County Courthouse, 13 W. 3rd St) or Lamar (Village Center, Unit 10, 5th and Lee). If your license is revoked due to a DUI (refusal or BAC > 0.08), you have strictly 7 days from the date of the Notice of Revocation to request a hearing. This request must be in writing and mailed or submitted at the La Junta office.

To reinstate your license, you'll need SR-22 insurance, an Ignition Interlock lease agreement, and an Alcohol Education Enrollment (Level II Education certificate). A common Catch-22 is needing the Interlock installed to get a Red License, but needing to drive to get the car to the shop. Consider paying for a tow to La Junta to avoid driving illegally.

Visitation at the Bent County Correctional Facility

Visitation at the Bent County Correctional Facility is fully digital, utilizing the HomeWAV platform. Remote video visits are available from personal computers or smartphones for a per-minute fee. On-site video visits are available in the jail lobby, Monday through Friday, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, but there are no on-site visitation hours on Saturdays or Sundays. Strict decorum is enforced during visits, including a dress code.

Next Steps

If you've been arrested for DUI in Bent County, contact the Bent Combined Court at 719-456-1353 to confirm your next court date and understand any specific requirements for your case.