Yuma County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Yuma County, Colorado
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Yuma 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 Yuma 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 Yuma 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 Yuma 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 City of Wray utilizes a fee structure that is explicitly designed to be front-loaded, with the "Impound Vehicle Tow fee" at a flat $300.00 for the first five days.
Vehicle Impound in Yuma County: A Local Guide
If you've been arrested for DUI in Yuma County, Colorado, understanding the vehicle impound process is crucial. Getting your car back involves navigating a complex system with specific local procedures and fees. This guide provides Yuma County-specific information to help you through the process.
The Law Enforcement Tow
A DUI arrest in Yuma County almost always results in a "Law Enforcement Tow," meaning your vehicle is held and cannot be released until certain conditions are met. Primary towing operators include Wiggins Junction Towing & Roadside and JR's Towing Service, located at 401 N Albany St in Yuma.
Impound Fees: A Breakdown
Fees vary depending on the arresting agency:
- Wray Police Department: A flat $300.00 tow and impound fee covers the first five days. After that, a daily storage fee of $10.00 is added.
- Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO): You'll face the private tower's PUC-regulated fees (approximately $279.78 base + $47.12 daily storage), PLUS a $150.00 Administrative Hearing Fee charged by the YCSO for the "Post Storage Hearing" and paperwork processing.
Also, be aware of the "After Hours Release Fee" of $103.70, imposed by tow operators for vehicle retrievals after 5:00 PM or on weekends.
The "Triangle of Travel"
Releasing your vehicle in Yuma County often involves what's been termed the "Triangle of Travel," a logistical challenge especially difficult without a car. The process includes:
- The Jail (Wray): Where you are released.
- The Records Department (Wray): Located within the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, this is where you pay the $150 administrative fee (if applicable) and obtain the release form.
- Important Constraint: The YCSO Records Department is only open for releases from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
- The Tow Yard (Various): The location of the tow yard depends on who performed the tow and can be in Yuma, Wray, or a more remote area.
You'll need to arrange transportation to each of these locations, often requiring multiple trips to secure the necessary documents and payment.
Required Documents
The Records Department (YCSO) typically requires proof of insurance and vehicle registration before issuing a release form. If these documents are locked inside the impounded vehicle, you'll need to coordinate a trip to the tow yard to retrieve them before visiting the Sheriff's Office.
Valid Driver Requirement
Be aware that some impound lots and the Sheriff's office might require a "Valid Driver" to be present at the time of release. If your driver's license has been confiscated due to the DUI arrest, you'll need someone with a valid license to drive the vehicle off the lot. A temporary paper permit might not be accepted as sufficient "validity" to drive the vehicle off the lot.
To start the vehicle release process with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, visit their Records Department at 200 W. Court Street in Wray between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Sources
Colorado Transportation Code
Yuma County Towing Regulations
Colorado Department of Licensing and Regulation
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