Questions about towing in Denver

How much can a tow company charge for a private-property tow in Denver?

The PUC sets the maximum rates for a private-property tow: a base rate, a mileage charge with any fuel surcharge (charged for at most 12 miles within ten miles of I-25, or 16.5 miles farther away), storage, an after-hours release charge if it applies, and other charges allowed by statute or rule. The amounts are adjusted for inflation every March 15 and posted on the PUC website. From March 15, 2026 the PUC lists, for a vehicle rated 10,000 lbs. or less: base rate $250.91; storage $48.19 per 24 hours; after-hours release $106.06; notification $75 for a tow from private property; mileage $3.80 a mile (fuel surcharge changes monthly). Heavier classes have higher amounts.

Source: 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6511(b); Colorado PUC towing rates (effective March 15, 2026) · Checked on October 6, 2026

What can a storage lot charge for storage in Denver?

Storage may not exceed the PUC's 24-hour maximum ($48.19 for a vehicle rated under 10,000 lbs. from March 15, 2026). After a private-property tow, only the first 24 hours of storage, prorated by the hour, may be charged until the owner notification under § 42-4-2103 is complete, and storage may not be charged retroactively after that. After a residential tow, storage must keep being prorated by the hour. Storage may not be charged for any time the carrier's garage keeper's liability insurance was not in force.

Source: 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6511(d); Colorado PUC towing rates (effective March 15, 2026) · Checked on October 6, 2026

How long do I have to ask for a hearing after a police or city tow in Denver?

After a City impound, the manager of safety must send the owner of record and any lienholder, by certified mail, a notice that the vehicle was impounded, where it is and where it was towed from; that unless claimed within 30 calendar days of the postmarked notice it may be disposed of; that the owner may request a hearing on the legality of the impoundment, with the agency's name and phone number; a description of the vehicle; and an itemized statement of the amount due. The owner of record must request the hearing in writing within 10 days of the postmark (or of personal service). If the hearing finds the vehicle was illegally impounded, all charges and storage fees are forgiven.

Source: Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-814(c) · Checked on October 6, 2026

What are the rules for tow-away signs on private property in Denver?

For a nonconsensual tow, the property owner must have posted signs that are at least two square feet, with letters at least one inch tall that contrast sharply with the background and the structure; that state, in this order, the parking restriction, the days and times it applies (or "Authorized Parking Only" if it applies at all times), and the name and phone number of the authorized towing carrier; that are printed in English and Spanish; that are permanently mounted both at the entrance facing the street and inside facing the parking area; that are not blocked from view; and that are between three and ten feet above the ground. The PUC rule requires the towing carrier to verify this signage before it agrees to tow from a property.

Source: C.R.S. § 40-10.1-405(3)(c); 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6513(d) · Checked on October 6, 2026

Where can I file a complaint about a tow in Denver?

The PUC is the main regulator of towing carriers. Questions or concerns about a tow can go to the PUC's Consumer Affairs staff at 303-894-2070, option 2, or through its online complaint form. Consumer Affairs reviews a complaint and may ask for more information; it may dismiss it, resolve it, or forward it to the PUC's Transportation Investigations Unit. The PUC says that if a violation is found, the carrier may be asked to release a vehicle at no charge or refund money already paid, and enforcement can include warning letters and civil penalties.

Source: Colorado PUC, Towing - Consumer Info. (puc.colorado.gov/towing); Residential Towing Information · Checked on October 6, 2026

What forms of payment must the tow company or storage lot accept in Denver?

A towing carrier must accept cash and major credit cards. The PUC rule says a major credit card includes MasterCard and Visa, and that the carrier must immediately accept payment of the charges when an authorized or interested person offers it. On request, the carrier must tell you which forms of payment it accepts.

Source: C.R.S. § 40-10.1-405(1)(b), (4)(d); 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6512(a) · Checked on October 6, 2026

Can I get my belongings out of the towed car in Denver?

Whether at the tow scene or at the storage lot, a towing carrier may not refuse to hand over prescription medicines, medical equipment and devices, child car seats, government ID, a cell phone, or credit cards and cash for paying the amount due. It must hand them over immediately, without requiring payment and without charge, on demand during business hours, and within one hour's notice outside business hours during the first 24 hours after the tow began.

Source: 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6512(g)-(j) · Checked on October 6, 2026

A towing carrier that towed a vehicle without consent has no mechanic's lien on its contents. If an authorized or interested person asks for the contents within 30 days after the postmarked date of the mailed notice (or the date the carrier learned there is no record of the vehicle), the carrier must let them retrieve the contents, unless a court, district attorney or law enforcement hold applies. Under the PUC rule the request can be made any time after the tow and up to 30 days after notification; after a residential tow the carrier may not charge for removing belongings; after a commercial or police-ordered tow it may charge up to an hourly amount ($100 in the rule, adjusted for inflation each March 15).

Source: C.R.S. § 40-10.1-405(5)(a)-(b); 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6512(d) · Checked on October 6, 2026

What happens if I get back to my car before it is towed away in Denver?

If an authorized or interested person approaches before the vehicle is removed from the private property, the towing carrier must tell them it is required to release the vehicle on request, and on request it must stop any tow in progress. It may not charge a drop charge to release a vehicle that is hooked up but not yet removed. Under the PUC rule, the drop-charge ban is for residential tows; for a commercial tow a drop charge up to the PUC maximum is allowed (see the drop-charge entry).

Source: C.R.S. § 40-10.1-405(6)(b)-(d); 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6511(a) · Checked on October 6, 2026

A towing carrier may not charge a drop charge for a residential private-property tow. For a commercial private-property tow it may charge one if the person appears to retrieve the vehicle before it is removed from the property, up to the PUC maximum ($97.70 for a vehicle rated 10,000 lbs. or less from March 15, 2026). It must halt the tow and tell the person they may offer the drop charge and which payments are accepted, by giving them a charge notification card. If it does not tell them the accepted forms of payment or does not accept them, it may not charge or keep any fees for its services.

Source: 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6511(a); Colorado PUC towing rates (effective March 15, 2026) · Checked on October 6, 2026

How do I find out where my car was towed in Denver?

Denver's Tow Tracker searches City-owned impound lots by state, date, make and model, plate or VIN (search.autoreturn.com); if your vehicle is not found it may have been towed to a private lot. You can also call the Denver Police non-emergency line, (720) 913-2000. The Vehicle Impound Facility (5160 York St., 720-865-0470, VIF@denvergov.org) says there is no charge for validated owners to recover property or inspect the vehicle, that photos taken at impound can be requested in writing by email to DSD-CLU@denvergov.org with ID and title or registration, and that confirmed victims of stolen vehicles pay no tow or storage fees.

Source: City and County of Denver, Tow Tracker and Vehicle Impound pages · Checked on October 6, 2026

What rules apply when a car is booted in Denver?

A booting company must release the vehicle within 90 minutes after being contacted during its normal business hours, or within 120 minutes after being contacted outside them. It must accept cash or a valid major credit card immediately, give an itemized bill on request, and put a written notice of the right to complain to the PUC on the invoice, receipt and bill.

Source: C.R.S. §§ 40-10.1-809, 40-10.1-810(1)-(2) (HB 25-1117) · Checked on October 6, 2026

A booting company must immediately release a booted vehicle if the person pays at least $60 of the amount owed for the boot, is not a lienholder or insurance company, and signs the PUC form "Immobilized Vehicle Release Notice With Payment Owed", affirming they owe fees that comply with the law. Signing does not stop a PUC complaint or other remedies; the company may use the form to collect the debt. It may not require any other approval process.

Source: C.R.S. § 40-10.1-811(1) (HB 25-1117) · Checked on October 6, 2026