Fremont County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Fremont County

Being arrested for a DUI in Fremont County, Colorado, is a stressful experience. Beyond the legal ramifications, one of the first practical concerns is often: "Where's my car, and how do I get it back?" This guide provides immediate, practical information to help you navigate the vehicle impound process after a DUI arrest in Fremont County.

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

When you're arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher in Colorado, your vehicle is often impounded for several reasons. This is done for public safety, to prevent further offenses, and sometimes as part of the evidence gathering process. Understanding the impound process is crucial to retrieving your vehicle quickly and minimizing additional costs.

Where Is Your Car?

The first step is locating your vehicle. It's likely been towed to an official impound lot in Fremont County.

Official Impound Lots in Fremont County

Unfortunately, we don't currently have specific impound lot data for Fremont County. However, you can use the methods below to find your vehicle.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Call Fremont County Police/Sheriff: Contact the Fremont County Police Department or the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. They will have a record of where your vehicle was towed. You can usually find their contact information online.
• Reference your case number: When you call, provide your case number (if you have it) or your name and date of birth to help them locate your vehicle.
• Most vehicles towed within 24 hours of arrest: Typically, your vehicle will be towed to an impound lot within 24 hours of your arrest. Don't delay contacting the authorities.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you've located your vehicle, you'll need to gather the necessary documents to retrieve it.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license (or someone with valid license): You or someone you authorize to pick up the vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle registration: Proof of ownership of the vehicle is essential.
• Proof of insurance: You'll need to demonstrate that the vehicle is currently insured.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Be prepared to pay towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your driver's license has been suspended or revoked due to the DUI arrest, you won't be able to retrieve the vehicle yourself.

• Have someone else pick it up: You can authorize a licensed driver to pick up the vehicle on your behalf.
• They need: their valid driver's license, a signed authorization from you (a simple written statement is usually sufficient), and the vehicle title or registration.

Costs & Fees in Fremont County

Understanding the costs associated with vehicle impound is critical, as fees accumulate quickly.

Typical Fees

• Towing fee: Expect to pay between $150 and $300 for the initial towing charge.
• Daily storage: Storage fees typically range from $20 to $50 per day.
• Administrative fees: There may be additional administrative fees associated with processing the release of your vehicle. Check with the impound lot for specific pricing.
• Release fee: There might be a release fee as well. Check with the impound lot for specific pricing.

IMPORTANT: Fees accumulate daily, so it's crucial to retrieve your car as quickly as possible to minimize expenses.

Payment Methods

Each impound lot may have different accepted payment methods. Be sure to confirm with the specific impound lot which forms of payment they accept. Typically, they will accept:

• Cash
• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)

Timeline

Time is of the essence when retrieving your impounded vehicle.

Within 24 Hours

It's best to retrieve your car immediately to avoid accumulating daily storage fees.

After 30 Days

In Colorado, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period, typically around 30 days, the impound lot may have the legal right to sell the vehicle at a lien sale to recover their costs.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Facing unexpected impound fees can be a financial burden. Here are some options to consider:

Options

• Borrow from family/friends: Reaching out to family or friends for financial assistance can be a quick solution.
• Payment plans (some lots offer this): Some impound lots may offer payment plans, allowing you to pay the fees in installments. Inquire about this option.
• Sign vehicle over to impound lot (avoid debt but lose car): As a last resort, you may be able to sign the vehicle's title over to the impound lot to avoid accruing further debt. However, this means you will lose ownership of the car.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait - fees add up fast: Procrastination will only increase the total cost.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning the vehicle can lead to further legal complications and potential fines.

Special Situations

Certain circumstances may complicate the vehicle retrieval process.

If Your Car Was Evidence

If your car is being held as evidence in the DUI investigation, the police will likely retain it for a longer period.

• May be held longer by police: Contact the Fremont County Police Department or the Fremont County Sheriff's Office to determine when the vehicle will be released.
• Get release authorization first: Before attempting to retrieve the vehicle, obtain written authorization from the police department indicating that it is no longer needed as evidence.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered to someone else, such as a family member, the registered owner has the right to retrieve the vehicle, regardless of your DUI arrest.

• Registered owner can retrieve regardless of your situation: The registered owner will need to provide proof of ownership (vehicle title or registration) and a valid driver's license.
• They'll need proof of ownership: They may also need to provide a copy of your driver's license to verify your connection to the vehicle.

After Retrieval

Once you've retrieved your vehicle, take the following steps:

Check Your Vehicle

• Document any damage immediately: Carefully inspect the vehicle for any damage that may have occurred during the towing or storage process.
• Take photos: Take detailed photos of any damage to serve as evidence.
• Report damage to impound lot manager: Report any damage to the impound lot manager immediately and request a written acknowledgement of your report.

Fremont County Impound Lot Locations

[Detailed list with map references if available - This section will be populated once we have impound lot data for Fremont County.]

We are working to gather specific impound lot information for Fremont County. In the meantime, contact the Fremont County Police Department or the Fremont County Sheriff's Office for the most up-to-date information.

This guide is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal advice. If you have been arrested for DUI in Fremont County, it is important to consult with a qualified Colorado DUI attorney to discuss your legal options.