What Happens to Your Vehicle After a Colorado DUI Arrest?

If you’re arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Colorado, what happens to your vehicle is more than an afterthought; it’s an important part of the legal and financial process that begins immediately. 

Depending on the situation, law enforcement may allow a sober, licensed driver to remove the car from the scene, but in many cases, the vehicle is impounded. Understanding how police decide what to do with your car, what rights you have as the owner, and what steps are required to recover your vehicle can help you act quickly and avoid excessive fees. 

Whether you’re trying to retrieve your car or minimize the long-term impact on your driving and ownership rights, knowing the rules can make a big difference.

Immediate Vehicle Seizure: Understanding Police Protocol

According to preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)), more than 16,000 DUI arrests were made in 2024, each triggering a series of legal and logistical consequences, including the possible impoundment of the driver’s vehicle. When someone is arrested for DUI in Colorado, one of the first actions law enforcement may take is to take control of the vehicle. This process, known as vehicle seizure or impoundment, is standard protocol, but it isn’t always unavoidable. In some cases, if a sober, licensed passenger is present, the officer may allow them to drive the vehicle home. Alternatively, you might be given a short window to arrange for a trusted, licensed individual to pick up the car before a tow truck is dispatched. These decisions are made at the officer’s discretion and depend on safety, traffic conditions, and other factors at the scene. If no suitable option is available or the vehicle poses a risk, it will be towed and impounded. Before removal, officers are required to document the vehicle’s condition and record the contents inside to protect both the owner’s property and law enforcement from liability.

Rights and Responsibilities as a Vehicle Owner

As the registered owner of the vehicle, you retain certain rights, even after a DUI arrest. If you can quickly coordinate with a responsible, sober driver, you may be able to avoid impound altogether. This must happen before the police initiate a tow request, and you’ll typically need to give permission, either verbally or in writing, for someone else to retrieve the vehicle.

If impoundment is unavoidable, the responsibility of recovering your car falls on you. This includes paying all towing and storage fees, which can grow quickly with each passing day. When you’re ready to retrieve the vehicle, you’ll need to show valid identification, proof of ownership such as the title or registration, active insurance, and in many cases, a release form from the police or court. Acting promptly helps minimize expenses and prevents further complications.

Options for Vehicle Release at the Scene

Following a DUI arrest, police officers must decide what to do with your car. Colorado law provides officers with some flexibility based on safety and logistics. If you’re arrested with a sober, licensed passenger in the car, that person may be permitted to drive the vehicle home. If you’re alone, you may be allowed to call a friend or family member who can arrive promptly to retrieve the car before a tow truck is called.

In rare cases, if the car is legally parked and not obstructing traffic, officers may choose to leave it in place temporarily. However, if there are no viable options for immediate release and the vehicle presents a safety concern or legal liability, it will be impounded. When that happens, the financial burden of towing, storage, and release falls entirely on the vehicle owner.

When Your Car Gets Impounded

If your vehicle is impounded due to a DUI arrest, it is transported to a secure storage facility and held until you take steps to reclaim it. This process involves multiple fees, including charges for towing, daily storage, and administrative paperwork. These costs can vary depending on the location, the company contracted for the tow, and how long your vehicle remains in the lot.

To get your car back, you need to show your ID, proof that you own the car, proof of insurance, and pay all the fees. Some places also need a paper from the police or the court. If you don’t get your car on time, you might have to pay more or lose the car.

Towing and Storage Fee Breakdown

When your car is taken away because of a Colorado DUI, you will have to pay several fees. These fees can be different depending on where you live and who you hire for the service.

• Towing Fees: This can cost between $150-$400. The price depends on how big your car is and how far it needs to be towed.
• Storage Fees: If your car is kept in an impound lot, you will pay about $25 to $75 each day.
• Extra Charges:
  • Administrative Fees: $50 to $150 for paperwork.
  • After-Hours Fees: $50 to $100 if they have to work outside normal hours.
  • Special Equipment Fees: If your car needs a flatbed or special towing, there might be extra charges.
• Minimum Hold Periods: Some places require your car to be held for a certain number of days, which can increase storage fees.
• Release Fees: You will pay $75 to $200 to get your car back.
• Documentation Fees: This can cost $25 to $50 for the paperwork related to the impound.

It’s a good idea to ask the impound lot for a list of all the fees to know how much you’ll need to pay.

Required Documentation for Vehicle Recovery

Getting your car back from the impound after a DUI arrest means you need to show certain papers to prove it’s yours and that you can take it. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Government ID: This shows who you are. Make sure it’s up-to-date and hasn’t expired.
2. Vehicle Registration: This proves the car belongs to you. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the registration should match the car.
3. Insurance Card: You need to show that you have car insurance. The insurance must be active.
4. Release Form: This is a paper from the police saying it’s okay for the car to be released.
5. Payment Receipt: You need to show that you paid all the fees for the impound.

If you can’t go yourself and send someone else, they need extra papers. This includes a special letter called a “power of attorney” that lets them act for you, and a written OK from you.

The impound lot is really careful to only give cars to people who have the right papers.

Time Limits for Retrieving Your Vehicle

When your car gets taken by the police because of a DUI, you need to act fast to get it back. Here’s what you should know:

1. 30 Days to Claim: You usually have 30 days to pick up your car. If you don’t, they might sell it at an auction.
2. Daily Fees: Every day your car stays in the impound lot, you have to pay a fee. These fees can add up quickly, so it’s cheaper to get your car sooner.
3. 72-Hour Hold: The police will hold your car for about 72 hours. After that, you can start the process to get it back if you have the right papers.
4. Risk of Losing the Car: If you don’t get your car back in time, they might keep it or sell it.

Make sure you know these rules and act quickly to avoid losing your car or paying more money.

Insurance Implications After DUI Impoundment

A DUI arrest followed by a vehicle impoundment can trigger serious consequences for your car insurance. Most insurance companies view DUI convictions as a major risk factor, which means your premiums will likely increase significantly.

In Colorado, you’ll also be required to file an SR-22 form with the state, which serves as proof of financial responsibility. This form is mandatory for reinstating your driver’s license and must usually be maintained for two to three years. Drivers with a DUI on their record are typically placed in a high-risk insurance category, which limits coverage options and makes policies more expensive and restrictive. In some cases, your insurance provider may cancel your policy altogether.

Vehicle Release to Third Parties

If someone has a car taken away because of a DUI charge, they have three choices to let another person pick it up: a family member, a DUI attorney, or someone they gave power of attorney to.

To do this, certain rules need to be followed. Here’s what you need to let someone else get the car:

1. A note from the car owner saying who can pick up the car. This note needs to be signed in front of a notary and include details about the person picking it up.
2. ID cards from both the car owner and the person picking up the car.
3. Papers showing how the person is connected to the car owner, like a marriage certificate or a power of attorney document.
4. The person picking up the car has to pay any fees, like for towing and storage.

Once all papers are in, it takes about 1 to 2 days to get the car.

Legal Steps to Contest Vehicle Seizure

If your car gets taken after a DUI arrest, you can fight it through legal steps. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Send a Protest: You have 10 days to send a written protest to fight the car being taken.
2. Collect Papers: Gather all documents that prove you own the car or need it.
3. Ask for a DMV Hearing: Set up a meeting to talk with officials about getting your car back.
4. Make Your Case: Tell them why taking your car was wrong by using laws and rights.
5. Go to Court: If the meeting doesn’t help, you can ask a court to look at your case.

To win, show there were mistakes when they took your car, they didn’t have a good reason to take it, or that not having your car is a big problem for you.

It’s important to have all your papers ready, follow the rules exactly, and explain your reasons clearly, using laws and past similar cases.

Long-term Storage Consequences

Leaving your vehicle in storage for an extended period after a DUI arrest can be financially damaging and could result in permanent loss of the vehicle. Daily storage fees accumulate quickly, and after 30 days, the impound facility may begin legal proceedings to declare the car abandoned. Once that happens, your vehicle can be auctioned off to cover outstanding costs.

Additionally, long-term storage can harm the vehicle mechanically. Common issues include flat tires, dead batteries, and engine problems due to lack of use. Your insurance provider may also cancel or limit coverage for a vehicle left in storage too long, creating further complications when you try to recover or repair the car.

Impact on Vehicle Registration and Title

A DUI conviction can cause problems with a vehicle’s registration and title. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has the power to take actions that affect your car’s paperwork.

1. Your car registration might be suspended for 30 days to a year. This depends on your past offenses and how high your blood alcohol level was.
2. You need to show SR-22 insurance proof for three years before you can get your car registration back.
3. Your car’s title might get a special mark showing a DUI. This can make it harder to sell or transfer your car.
4. You might have to pay extra fees and penalties when renewing your registration. If you have more than one DUI, you may need to install a device in your car that checks your breath for alcohol before you can drive.

These are DMV actions. They are separate from court actions and need to be dealt with through the Colorado DMV.

Working With Impound Facilities

Navigating the impound process can be stressful, but understanding how these facilities operate will help speed things up. First, contact the impound lot as soon as possible after your arrest to confirm your car’s location, business hours, and payment requirements. Most impound facilities require the vehicle owner to appear in person with ID, insurance, registration, and a release form. Some allow third-party recovery with proper authorization.

Before arriving, make sure you have enough funds to cover all fees. Many facilities accept only certain forms of payment, such as cash or credit. If you delay, storage fees will continue to accrue, and eventually, you may lose your car. Being prepared and proactive can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.