Ouray County Bail Information
Understanding bail amounts, the release process, and what happens after a arrest in Ouray County.
How Bail Bonds Work
Option 1: Cash Bond (Pay Full Amount)
How it works: Pay the full bail amount to the court
Pros: Get full amount back after case concludes (minus court fees)
Cons: Requires full amount upfront
Option 2: Bail Bondsman (Most Common)
How it works: Pay 10-15% fee to bondsman, they post full bail
Cost: Typically 10% of bail amount (non-refundable)
Pros: Only need 10% upfront instead of full amount
Cons: Fee is non-refundable, may require collateral, co-signer assumes liability
Co-Signer Liability Warning
Important for Co-Signers:
- You are 100% liable if defendant does not appear in court
- You must pay the full bail amount if defendant skips
- Bondsman can seize collateral (house, car, etc.)
- You cannot cancel the bond - only the court can
- Liability continues until case is fully resolved
Release Timeline
Arrest & Booking (2-8 hours)
Fingerprinting, photographing, background check, medical screening
Arraignment (Within 24-48 hours)
First court appearance, judge sets bail amount, charges are read
Bail Posted (1-4 hours)
Family contacts bondsman, paperwork signed, fee paid
Release (2-6 hours)
Processing, release paperwork, return of personal property, court date assigned
Total Time Estimate
From arrest to release: 12-48 hours depending on booking workload, time of arrest (weekends take longer), and how quickly bail is posted.
After Release: Critical Deadlines
1. Request MVD Hearing - 15 Days
You have only 15 days from arrest to request your administrative license hearing. This is separate from your criminal case.
2. Retrieve Your Vehicle
Impound fees accrue daily. Get your car as soon as possible to avoid hundreds in storage fees.
Calculate Impound Costs3. Hire an Attorney
A attorney can help with license hearings, plea negotiations, and potentially getting charges reduced or dismissed.
Find Ouray County Lawyers4. Appear at ALL Court Dates
Missing court will result in bond forfeiture, arrest warrant, and additional charges. Your co-signer will be liable for the full bail amount.
The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) utilizes the Montrose County Detention Facility (MCDF) for all booking and housing needs. This facility is located at 1200 North Grand Avenue in Montrose.
DUI Bail in Ouray County: What You Need to Know
If you've been arrested for DUI in Ouray County, Colorado, understanding the bail process is crucial, but it presents unique logistical challenges due to the county's remote location and inter-county agreements. Unlike larger cities, Ouray County doesn't have its own detention center, adding layers of complexity to securing your release.
Where to Post Bail for Ouray County DUI
Since Ouray County does not have a detention facility, those arrested for DUI are transported to the Montrose County Detention Facility (MCDF) at 1200 North Grand Avenue in Montrose. All bail posting occurs at this location. Be aware the facility strictly prohibits the use of personal checks for bond posting.
Local Bond Options
When a judge sets bail, they may allow for a cash surety bond, where you pay a bondsman a percentage (typically 10-15%) of the total bail amount. However, for certain DUI offenses, particularly repeat offenses, those involving a high Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), or outstanding warrants, the court may impose a "Cash Only" bond. This means you must pay the full bail amount in cash, preventing the use of a bondsman.
Release Timeline
Colorado House Bill 21-1280 mandates a bond hearing within 48 hours of arriving at the detention facility. The 7th Judicial District typically holds weekend advisements on Sundays at 9:30 AM. Therefore, if you are arrested on a Friday evening, you may spend up to 36-40 hours in jail until the Sunday morning advisement. Moreover, the Montrose County Detention Facility generally dictates that an arrestee cannot be released until their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) has dropped below a safe threshold (often 0.00 or 0.02) or a specific time period has elapsed. This transforms the 36-mile transport time into merely the preamble of a guaranteed multi-hour detention.
Payment Methods at Montrose County Detention Facility
The Montrose County Detention Facility operates under strict financial controls. They prohibit the use of personal checks for bond posting. For credit card transactions, MCDF utilizes a third-party service known as JailATM (or Stellar Teller).
Fees
Beyond the bond itself, the defendant faces an immediate accrual of non-refundable fees:
- Booking Fee: $30.00 charged upon intake.
- Bond Fee: $10.00 charged for each bond posted.
- Welcome Pack Fee: $5.50 charged upon transfer to housing.
Post-Release Challenges
Upon release from the Montrose County Detention Facility, located at 1200 N. Grand Avenue in Montrose, transportation back to Ouray County becomes an immediate concern. Public transportation options are limited, with the Bustang Outrider (Durango-Grand Junction line) offering a single southbound bus departing Montrose at approximately 2:54 PM. All Points Transit's "OurWay" route, a local connector, pauses service from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, potentially stranding individuals released during that time.
The Montrose County Detention Facility is located at 1200 North Grand Avenue in Montrose.
Sources
Colorado Penal Code
Ouray County Sheriff's Office
Texas Department of Public Safety