Sedgwick County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Sedgwick County, Colorado
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Sedgwick 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 Sedgwick 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 Sedgwick 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 Sedgwick 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)
Upon the determination of probable cause for DUI in Sedgwick County, Colorado, a vehicle is typically impounded if it presents a traffic hazard (e.g., on the shoulder of I-76) or if there is no sober passenger immediately available to take control of it.
Vehicle Impound in Sedgwick County: A Local Guide
If you've been arrested for DUI in Sedgwick County, understanding the vehicle impound process is crucial. Unlike municipal police departments that may operate their own impound lots, Sedgwick County utilizes a "Rotation List" for towing services. This means the arresting officer (Colorado State Patrol or Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office) will call the next towing company on the list.
Primary Tow Operator
The dominant local operator identified is Steve's Towing & Recovery LLC, based in Julesburg.
Getting Your Vehicle Back: Release Paperwork
You won't be able to just show up at the tow yard. Law enforcement agencies frequently place an administrative hold on the vehicle, requiring specific paperwork for release. Your vehicle cannot be released by the tow yard until you present a "Release Form" issued by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.
This can be a problem because you might be released from jail in Sterling (50 miles away) but you'll need to go to the Sheriff’s Office in Julesburg to get the paperwork before you can go to the tow yard. If the Sheriff’s administrative window is closed (e.g., weekends or holidays), the vehicle remains in impound, accruing daily storage fees.
Towing and Storage Fees
Towing fees in rural Colorado can be substantial due to the mileage involved. While precise, up-to-date fees require contacting Steve's Towing directly, here's a general fee structure to expect:
- Base Hook Fee: typically $150-$250.
- Mileage: $3-$5 per mile.
- Storage: Daily fees range from $30 to $60.
Storage fees accrue every calendar day. A Friday night arrest with a Monday morning release results in a minimum of 3 days of storage fees.
Strategic Tip: Immediate Inquiry
Upon booking, the defendant or their proxy must immediately ask the booking officer: "Is there a hold on my vehicle? What is the case number?".
Strategic Tip: Power of Attorney
If the defendant is in custody or out-of-state, they can sign a limited Power of Attorney or a specific DMV form authorizing a third party to retrieve the vehicle. This is essential for preventing the accrual of storage fees.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is located at 315 Cedar St, Ste 320, Julesburg, CO 80737.
Sources
Colorado Transportation Code
Sedgwick County Towing Regulations
Colorado Department of Licensing and Regulation
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