San Miguel County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — San Miguel County, Colorado
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in San Miguel 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 Miguel 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 Miguel 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 Miguel 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 San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO) explicitly articulates a custodial philosophy rooted in punishment rather than rehabilitation. This stance manifests in rigid bond procedures, restricted visitation windows, and austere confinement conditions. When facing a DUI in San Miguel County, Colorado, understanding vehicle impound procedures is crucial. Due to the unique geography and limited resources of this area, impound can be a significant logistical and financial burden.
Primary Impound Facility
Telluride Tire & Auto, located at 120 Society Drive in Lawson Hill, serves as the primary impound facility for law enforcement in the upper valley.
Fees
Invoice records show charges of $750.00 for an "Impound Tow" and $875.00 for a "Tow." Expect a baseline cost approaching $1,000 for a DUI impound once daily storage fees are added. Daily storage fees are estimated at $50-$75 per day.
Weekend/Holiday
Telluride Tire & Auto's administrative office, which processes vehicle releases, operates on standard business hours:
- Monday through Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Weekends: Closed
This means if you are arrested on a Friday evening, you will likely be unable to retrieve your vehicle until Monday morning, incurring at least three days of storage fees.
Logistics of Retrieval
The impound lot is located in Lawson Hill, approximately three miles from the jail and Telluride town center. The Galloping Goose bus system provides free transit between Telluride, Lawson Hill, and Down Valley. The bus stops at the "Lawson Hill Park & Ride" and "Upper Lawson Hill". From the Lawson Hill Park & Ride, it's a short walk to 120 Society Drive.
Remember, the only safe harbor for a vehicle during a night out in Telluride during winter months is the Carhenge Parking Lot at the west end of town.
Telluride Tire & Auto is located at 120 Society Drive in Lawson Hill.
Sources
Colorado Transportation Code
San Miguel County Towing Regulations
Colorado Department of Licensing and Regulation
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