San Juan County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — San Juan County, Colorado
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in San Juan County may vary. Contact the impound lot directly for exact costs.
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The First 48 Hours Are Critical
After a arrest in San Juan County, your vehicle is likely towed to an impound lot. Storage fees accumulate daily, making time your biggest enemy.
What Happens Immediately After Arrest
- 1
Vehicle is towed (usually within 30 minutes of arrest)
- 2
Tow company notifies impound lot (charges start immediately)
- 3
Storage fees begin accruing daily in San Juan County
- 4
Administrative fees added (varies by lot)
Documents You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle
- Valid photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- Vehicle registration or title
- Proof of insurance
- Payment for all fees (see calculator above)
- Release authorization (if not the registered owner)
Can Someone Else Pick Up My Car?
Yes, but they'll need:
- • Written authorization from the registered owner
- • Copy of owner's ID
- • Their own valid ID
- • Proof of insurance in their name or the owner's name
Find Impound Lots in San Juan County
Call Before You Go
Verify your vehicle is at this lot and confirm the exact amount owed before making the trip. Hours and fees may change without notice.
The Impound “Poverty Trap”
Many people can't afford to get their car out immediately, but waiting only makes it worse.
Here's the vicious cycle:
Can't afford the first 3 days of storage + admin fees
Wait a week to save money → fees double
Can't get to work without car → lose income
Wait 2 weeks → fees triple or quadruple
After 30 days → Car may be auctioned by the lot
What You Can Do
- • Borrow money from family/friends (pay them back later, cheaper than daily fees)
- • Use a credit card (even with interest, cheaper than impound fees)
- • Sell non-essential items quickly
- • Ask your employer for an advance
- • Check if your auto insurance covers towing/storage (some policies do)
The Town of Silverton enforces a strict alternating-side parking schedule during snow events to facilitate plowing. If you're arrested for DUI in San Juan County, Colorado, understanding vehicle impound procedures is crucial, especially given the area's unique logistical challenges. Unlike urban areas, a DUI arrest here often involves a 50-mile separation between the arrestee (transported to Durango) and the vehicle (typically remaining in Silverton).
Primary Impound Facility
Animas Towing & Recovery is the primary towing vendor used by law enforcement in Silverton and the immediate county area. To contact them, call (970) 946-4303. Keep in mind that this is described as a "micro-fleet," meaning release procedures are likely manual. Retrieving your vehicle outside of standard business hours may require personal negotiation with the operator.
Required Documents for Release
You'll need specific documents to get your vehicle back:
- Valid Driver’s License (for the person retrieving the vehicle). Note that your physical license is likely confiscated at the time of arrest under Colorado's Express Consent Law. You will need a licensed driver to retrieve the vehicle.
- Proof of Ownership (Current registration or title). An insurance card is not accepted as proof of ownership.
- Proof of Insurance.
The "Police Hold" Bottleneck
If the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) or Silverton Marshals place a "Police Hold" on your vehicle (common in cases involving Vehicular Assault, Felony DUI, or complex accident investigations), Animas Towing & Recovery cannot release it without written authorization from the impounding agency. The SJSO's administrative offices typically operate Monday through Friday. This can significantly delay release, especially if your arrest occurs on a Friday night, potentially leading to mandatory storage fees over the weekend. Contact the Sheriff's office as soon as they open to get the release form.
Snow Route Impound Trap
During winter months, be aware of Silverton's "Snow Route Ordinance." If your vehicle is parked on a public street overnight during a "Red Alert" snow event (declared when snow accumulation warrants full plowing), it can be towed for a snow removal violation, compounding impound fees.
Greene Street Prohibition: During a Red Alert, parking is prohibited on Greene Street (the main commercial street) from Midnight to 8:00 AM.
Alternating-Side Parking: The town enforces strict alternating-side parking during Red Alerts to facilitate plowing. "ALL RED ALERTS ARE A TWO NIGHT PLOWING PROCESS".
- Even-Dated Mornings: Vehicles must be parked on the EVEN side of the street after midnight.
- Odd-Dated Mornings: Vehicles must be parked on the ODD side of the street after midnight.
If you're arrested and detained out of the area, your vehicle could be towed if it remains parked on the wrong side of the street during a Red Alert.
To check on a towed vehicle due to a Snow Route violation, contact Animas Towing at (970) 946-4303.
Sources
Colorado Transportation Code
San Juan County Towing Regulations
Colorado Department of Licensing and Regulation
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