Bent County Court Process

The Bent County Sheriff (Sheriff Jake R. Six) maintains legal custody of pre-trial detainees, but the physical facility is the Bent County Correctional Facility (BCCF), managed by CoreCivic.

DWI Court Procedures in Bent County, Colorado

Navigating a DWI charge in Bent County, Colorado requires understanding its unique legal and logistical landscape. Unlike larger metro areas, Bent County presents specific challenges and considerations. This guide provides essential information to help you navigate the process.

Bail Bonds and Jail Release: CoreCivic's Influence

If arrested for DWI in Bent County, expect to be processed at the Bent County Correctional Facility (BCCF), located at 11560 Road FF.75, Las Animas, CO 81054. Because the facility is managed by CoreCivic and primarily houses medium-security DOC inmates, security protocols are significantly more rigorous than a typical county jail. The booking process is slower, involving deeper background checks and more thorough searches. Be prepared for strict conduct rules; infractions that might be overlooked in a city jail (e.g., shouting, refusal to obey a minor order) can result in disciplinary segregation or loss of privileges.

For DUI offenses, especially those involving prior alcohol-related convictions (DUI, DWAI, or DUID), the 16th Judicial District Bond Schedule mandates "Monitored abstinence from use of alcohol and illegal drugs" as a condition of release. This means you cannot simply post the standard $1,000 cash bond and leave. You must demonstrate the ability to comply with monitoring. This often delays release until you can sign a contract with a monitoring provider. Since these providers are based in La Junta, release may be delayed until the next business day if they are closed.

Court Information & Logistics

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, contactable at 719-456-1353 (Clerk: Anita Kuhn), operates Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. A critical detail to note is the "Lunch Hour" hard closure from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, during which the office is locked and staff are unavailable.

Judges in the 16th District rotate among Bent, Crowley, and Otero Counties. Rescheduling a hearing can involve delays of weeks, not days, until the judge returns to the Bent County rotation. The 16th Judicial District utilizes Webex for certain proceedings like advisements and status conferences. However, you must have prior approval from the court to appear virtually.

The "Convoy Effect" is a unique logistical feature. Most legal professionals are based in La Junta (Otero County). On court docket days (e.g., Wednesdays), a convoy of legal personnel travels Hwy 50 from La Junta to Las Animas. Severe weather impacting Hwy 50 can paralyze the court docket.

DMV/DPS & License Logistics

Bent County lacks a full-service Driver License Office. Residents must travel to La Junta (Otero County Courthouse, 13 W. 3rd St, La Junta, CO 81050, ~20 miles) or Lamar (Village Center, Unit 10, 5th and Lee, Lamar, CO 81052, ~35 miles) for significant DMV interactions. The La Junta office does NOT conduct reinstatement hearings on-site; these are almost exclusively remote.

If arrested for DUI (refusal or BAC > 0.08), you have strictly 7 days from the date of the Notice of Revocation to request a hearing. The request must be made in writing and mailed or submitted at the La Junta office.

Ignition Interlock Compliance

Bent County has no certified interlock installation centers. The market is dominated by Smart Start and Intoxalock, requiring a relationship with vendors in La Junta or Lamar.

Smart Start's primary location is Tim Trujillo Agency, 15 E 3rd Street, La Junta, CO 81050, phone: 719-928-3790. Hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Intoxalock has locations at Fade To Black, 210 N Main St, La Junta, CO 81050, and Arkansas Valley Diesel, 6002 US Hwy 50, Lamar, CO 81052. Fade to Black offers extended hours, opening at 7:00 AM on Tuesdays.