Summit County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Summit County, CO: Complete Guide

Being arrested for DUI in Summit County, Colorado, presents unique challenges beyond the standard legal process. The "Alpine Friction" – severe weather, high-altitude geography, and limited service provider availability – adds complexity to every step. This guide provides immediate, practical information to navigate the system, from impound logistics to understanding local court procedures. It’s designed to help you understand what to expect and what steps to take next.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

Following a DUI arrest in Summit County, you will likely be taken to the Summit County Jail. Arresting agencies include the Breckenridge Police Department (BPD), Frisco Police Department, Silverthorne Police Department, Dillon Police Department, and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and a health screening. You will be allowed to make a phone call, so prioritize contacting family, a bail bondsman, or an attorney.

Bail in Summit County allows you to be released from jail while awaiting court proceedings. The amount varies based on the severity of the charges and your criminal history. A bail bondsman can assist with posting bail, typically requiring a percentage of the total bail amount.

Critical Deadlines

Several critical deadlines must be met to protect your rights after a DUI arrest in Colorado:

• ALR Hearing Deadline: You have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to challenge a potential license suspension. This is a crucial deadline; missing it results in automatic license suspension.
• Court Appearance Dates: Your initial court date will be set soon after your arrest. This date is on your bond paperwork. Missing this date can result in a warrant for your arrest.
• License Suspension Timeline: If you don’t request an ALR hearing, your license suspension will begin usually 30 days from the date of arrest. If you lose the ALR hearing, the suspension will typically begin shortly after the hearing officer's decision.

DUI Enforcement in Summit County

DUI enforcement in Summit County is particularly active due to the high volume of tourists and seasonal workers, especially during ski season and summer events. While specific DUI checkpoint locations are not consistently publicized, be aware that law enforcement agencies, including the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, BPD, Frisco PD, Silverthorne PD, and Dillon PD conduct saturation patrols throughout the year.

Local Resources

• Summit County Court: The 5th Judicial District Court handles DUI cases in Summit County.
• Summit County Non-Emergency Dispatch: 970-668-8600 (Use to find out which lot your vehicle was towed to)
• Breckenridge Police Department: 150 Ski Hill Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424
• Ryan’s Recovery: 198 Continental Court, Breckenridge, CO (Primary towing contractor for Breckenridge PD)
• Ski Country Shell (Ski Country Auto Repair & Towing): 1125 N Summit Blvd, Frisco, CO (Primary towing contractor for Frisco PD)
• JH Mountain Towing / JH Mountain Auto: 205 Warren Ave, Silverthorne
• I-70 Towing: 330 Warren Avenue, Silverthorne
• Bail Bondsmen: Search online for "bail bondsman Summit County CO"
• DUI Attorneys: Search online for "DUI attorney Summit County CO"

What Makes Summit County Different

Summit County presents unique challenges for DUI defendants:

• Towing Logistics: The specific arresting agency dictates where your vehicle is towed. Breckenridge Police Department primarily uses Ryan's Recovery, while Frisco PD uses Ski Country Shell. Silverthorne and Dillon rotate between Dillon Towing & Recovery, JH Mountain Towing, and I-70 Towing. Always call Summit County Non-Emergency Dispatch (970-668-8600) immediately to confirm the location of your vehicle.
• "Alpine Friction": Expect higher towing costs due to "Mountain Recovery" classifications, especially during winter. If your car slid off the road into a snowbank, the tow can be reclassified as a "complex recovery", which significantly increases the cost.
• Breckenridge's "Garage Extraction" Premium: If arrested near lodging complexes with underground parking (e.g., Beaver Run, Main Street Station) in Breckenridge, Ryan’s Recovery may need to use specialized low-clearance wreckers. This can reclassify the tow to a "complex recovery," increasing hourly labor rates.
• Frisco PD Towing from Quasi-Public Lots: While Frisco PD doesn't tow from private property, they may tow from "quasi-public" lots like Walmart or shopping centers after a DUI arrest.
• Summit County Sheriff's Office Payment Friction: The Sheriff's Office is cashless. If you only have cash, you'll need to deposit funds or get a money order to pay administrative fees.
• "Protected Items" Loophole: Tow yards must provide access to "Life Essential" items (prescription medication, medical devices, child restraint systems, credit cards/cash, state ID, and cellular telephones) without charging an access fee. Never pay to retrieve your wallet or phone; cite the "Protected Items" rule.
• Vehicle Abandonment: Under Colorado law, a vehicle is considered abandoned if left unattended on public property for 48 hours or not removed from an impound lot within 72 hours of notice. The Summit County Sheriff will initiate a record search with the Colorado Department of Revenue (DR 2008 form) to notify owners/lienholders. This triggers an additional "Notification Fee" passed to the defendant.
• Winter DUI Arrests: Be especially aware of the "Snowbank Multiplier" during winter. A standard tow can easily escalate to $800-$1,200 if your vehicle is stuck in a snowbank.

Practical Next Step: Immediately after release, call Summit County Non-Emergency Dispatch at 970-668-8600 to confirm the location of your impounded vehicle.