Crowley County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Crowley County, CO: Complete Guide

Being arrested for DUI in Crowley County can feel overwhelming. Unlike larger cities, this rural environment presents unique challenges. This guide provides immediate, practical steps and local insights to help you navigate the legal process, understand Crowley County's specific procedures, and protect your rights. Keep in mind that while statewide data shows a downward trend in impaired driving fatalities and arrests into 2023 and 2024, the conviction rate in rural counties like Crowley can be higher due to closer scrutiny from the District Attorney.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Crowley County

The moments following a DUI arrest in Crowley County can be disorienting. This guide is designed to help you understand the immediate steps, critical deadlines, and unique aspects of navigating the DUI process in this rural Colorado county. We'll cover everything from getting out of jail to understanding local enforcement patterns and accessing the resources you need.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

Here's a general timeline of what to expect in the first 24 hours after a DUI arrest in Crowley County:

• Arrest and Initial Processing: You'll be arrested by either the Crowley County Sheriff's Office, Colorado State Patrol (CSP), or the Ordway Town Marshal, depending on where the arrest occurred. CSP is the dominant agency on Highway 96 and Highway 71, so be prepared for their saturation patrols and interdiction efforts on these transit corridors.
• Transportation to Jail: You'll be transported to the Crowley County Jail, located at 110 East 6th St in Ordway. Important: Do not confuse this with the Crowley County Correctional Facility (CCCF), a private prison at 6564 Hwy 96.
• Booking: At the jail, you'll be booked, which includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording your personal information. Processing typically takes 1-4 hours, but this can be delayed if the on-duty dispatcher or deputy is busy with other calls.
• Phone Calls: You'll be allowed to make a phone call. Use this to contact a loved one or an attorney.
• Bail Setting: Bail will be set according to the 16th Judicial District’s bond schedules.
• Release: You can be released after posting bail, either in cash or through a bail bondsman. Keep in mind that there are few, if any, bail bondsmen physically located in Ordway, meaning they will likely travel from Pueblo, La Junta, or Rocky Ford, adding 1-2 hours to the release process.

Critical Deadlines

Missing these deadlines can have serious consequences:

• 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 Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This hearing is separate from your criminal case and determines whether your driver's license will be suspended. Since Crowley County lacks a native DMV hearing office, you'll need to travel to La Junta (Otero County) for the hearing.
• Court Arraignment: You'll receive a summons with your first court appearance date. This is when you'll be formally advised of the charges against you.
• License Suspension: If you don't request an ALR hearing or if you lose the hearing, your license will be suspended. The length of the suspension depends on the specifics of your case and prior DUI history.

DUI Enforcement in Crowley County

Understanding local enforcement patterns can help you anticipate potential risks:

• Primary Arresting Agencies: The Crowley County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) handles county roads, while the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) focuses on Highway 96 and Highway 71. The Ordway Town Marshal is active within the town limits.
• Known Checkpoint Locations: Sobriety checkpoints are rare but are almost exclusively CSP-led operations. The intersection of Hwy 96 and Hwy 71, known as the "Ordway Crossroads," is a likely location for any checkpoint or saturation patrol.
• Peak Enforcement Times: Patrols are often denser during shift change windows at the Crowley County Correctional Facility (CCCF) around 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, monitoring for impaired staff or visitors.
• Annual DUI Arrests: While specific annual DUI arrest numbers for Crowley County aren't readily available in isolated granular form, data from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) indicates a low volume in absolute numbers but significant per capita.

Local Resources

• Crowley Combined Court: Located in Ordway.
• Crowley County Jail: 110 East 6th St, Ordway, CO.
• Crowley County Sheriff's Office: Located in Ordway.
• Probation Office (16th Judicial District): Room 302 in the courthouse building. Phone: 719-384-5973.
• Bail Bondsmen: Few local options; bondsmen typically travel from Pueblo, La Junta, or Rocky Ford.
• DUI Attorneys: (General information, no specific recommendations.)

What Makes Crowley County Different

Crowley County's rural setting creates unique challenges and considerations for DUI cases:

• The "Lunch Hour" Lockout: The Crowley Combined Court strictly observes a 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM closure. The doors may be locked, and phones will roll to voicemail. Do not arrive at 11:55 AM expecting to file paperwork.
• Geographic Isolation: Crowley County lacks essential DUI-related services. You'll need to travel to La Junta (Otero County) for DMV hearings and IID installation.
• Prison Misdirection: Families often mistakenly contact the Crowley County Correctional Facility (CCCF) when trying to locate an arrestee. Remember, the jail is at 110 East 6th St, while the prison is at 6564 Hwy 96.
• Small-Town Dynamics: Relationship management is key. Politeness is crucial when dealing with tow truck operators or jail staff.
• Limited Diversion Options: The 16th Judicial District Attorney offers an Adult Diversion Program, but it's discretionary and usually reserved for first-time offenders with no aggravating factors. There is no dedicated "DUI Court" docket in Crowley County.
• Weekend Bond Hearings: If you are arrested Saturday night and do not bond out immediately via the schedule, you will likely sit until Sunday morning when the 16th Judicial District conducts weekend advisements, often via video link with a judge.
• Cash is King: While they may have a card reader, internet connectivity in rural areas can be spotty, or the machine might be "down." Bringing cash prevents awkward delays.

Your next step should be to contact the Probation Office at 719-384-5973, located in Room 302 of the courthouse building, to understand the requirements of any potential probation sentence.