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1. Where is the impound located?

The Wheat Ridge Police Department uses Connolly’s Towing for all police tows. Their impound yard is located at 5702 W. 60th Ave, Arvada, CO 80003. The phone number is 303-424-3445.

2. My car has been impounded, how do I get it back?

Call Connolly’s Towing at 303-424-3445 and confirm that the vehicle is available for release. If there is a police hold on the vehicle, it must be released by the investigating officer. If the vehicle is available for release, the registered owner needs to go to the tow yard at 5702 W. 60th Ave. in Arvada with a valid photo identification. A valid driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance are required to drive a vehicle from the tow yard. If the registered owner is unable to respond they may authorize the release of the vehicle to another person. That person will need a notarized letter from the owner giving them permission to pick up the vehicle. All tow and impound fees must be paid prior to release of the vehicle.

3. How long can vehicles be parked on the street and what can I do if one has been in the same place for a long time?

Vehicles parked on the street must be legally registered and operable. Any member of the police department who has reasonable grounds to believe that a vehicle has been abandoned shall require such vehicle to be removed by the owner or the vehicle will be towed and placed in storage at a city designated impound lot. If you have concerns about a vehicle parked on the street contact the police department at 303-237-2220 and an officer will respond to make a determination.

4. How do I report an abandoned vehicle located on a public street?

Vehicles parked on the street must be legally registered and operable. Any member of the police department who has reasonable grounds to believe that a vehicle has been abandoned shall require such vehicle to be removed by the owner or the vehicle will be towed and placed in storage at a city designated impound lot. If you have concerns about a vehicle parked on the street contact the police department at 303-237-2220 and an officer will respond to make a determination.

5. What can we do about speeding on our street?

Non-emergency enforcement for situations in which a specific repeat offender or other clearly identified traffic problem is present is available for low volume residential streets on a request basis. However, because of competition for police resources across the city, general traffic enforcement for low volume residential streets is limited. A portable speed board that displays driver’s speed back to the driver can be deployed to neighborhood streets on request. Contact the police department at 303-237-2220 to report traffic concerns.

6. If I am involved in an accident do I have to make a report?

State law requires immediate police notification of traffic accidents involving any property damage or a claim of injury. When in doubt, call the police department at 303-237-2220 for instructions on how to report and document the accident. Depending on the circumstances, an officer may respond or you may be directed to make a counter report. If you are involved in an accident on public property with any injury or property damage in excess of $1,000.00 a written report must be filed through the police department with the Department of Revenue.

7. If I am involved in an accident can I move my car out of traffic?

Vehicles involved in a traffic accident on city streets should be left on scene until the arrival of a police officer unless there is a safety hazard. If the vehicles involved are causing a safety hazard they should be moved to a safe location if possible. When an accident occurs on the traveled portion, median or ramp of a divided highway (I-70) and each vehicle can be safely driven, each driver shall move their vehicle as soon as possible off the traveled portion to a suitable location to exchange information and wait for police response.

8. What should I do if I’m in an accident?

Here are eight specific and immediate steps to take if you are in an auto accident.
1. Try to remain calm and thoughtful
2. If you are injured, stay in your car - unless it's dangerous to do so
3. Wait for the police and medical help
4. Inform the police about the accident for the official report
5. Record all witnesses' names, addresses, and phone numbers
6. Confirm whether you were wearing a seat belt
7. If you are injured, insist on being transported to a hospital in an ambulance
8. In all instances, obtain medical treatment immediately. Tell medical personnel about everything that you feel may be physically wrong.

9. What should I do if the City is on accident alert?

When wild weather strikes, or as a result of a critical incident that may deplete the police department’s resources, the City of Wheat Ridge will oftentimes declare Accident Alert status. But what does that really mean?
When accident alert is in effect, drivers involved in a traffic crash should exchange the following information:
• Name, address and phone number.
• Driver’s license information (including license number and date of birth).
• License plate number.
• Make and model of your car.
• Insurance information.
• And be sure to make note of the time and location of the accident.
Each driver is then required to visit the police department in the city where the accident occurred within 24 hours to file a counter report with police.
There are some instances where police will respond to an accident, even if accident alert is in effect.
• Crashes with injuries.
• Crashes where drugs or alcohol are suspected.
• Hit and run crashes where follow-up leads are available.
• Crashes where disabled cars are blocking traffic.
• And crashes involving city or other governmental vehicles.
Bottom line is this: When driving conditions deteriorate, slow down, take your time and try to stay off the roads if at all possible

10. Are motorized bicycles, scooters, and Mopeds legal?

By definition per Colorado Revised Statutes, a “Motorized Bicycle” is a vehicle having two or three wheels, a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc, and an automatic transmission which produces a maximum design speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour on a flat surface. It also has a headlamp on the front, a red reflector or lamp on the rear, a bell or audible warning device, and a permanent and attached seat.
Motorized bicycles are illegal to ride on Wheat Ridge’s streets, sidewalks and in public parks. For more information read the article Does a Motor Really Matter? or visit the Department of Motor Vehicle web site.

11. Do police have to obey the traffic laws?

Law enforcement officers do have exemptions to traffic law when they are responding to an emergency call or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law. According to Colorado Revised Statue 42-4-108 (2)(a) “The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this title.”

12. Is warning other motorists about speed traps legal?

There is no law, regulation and/or ordinance prohibiting motorists from flashing their lights warning other motorists of law enforcement conducing enforcement campaigns. As far as the police not liking the practice of motorists flashing lights, most officers do not mind the practice. Police are looking for volunteer compliance of all traffic laws. If motorists police themselves, it enables officers to address other issues and problems in the city.

13. Is it illegal to throw a cigarette out of a vehicle?

City Code Sec. 15-24 makes it illegal to “dump, deposit, or dispose of any glass, paper, can, bottle, box, garbage, or trash anywhere on any street, alley or roadway.” You can do something about this by reporting the incident to the police. However, you must realize that these types of calls are a low priority for the PD as compared to incidents that endanger citizens (disturbances, domestics, traffic accidents, etc). Additionally, the constitution guarantees every citizen the right to face their accuser. Since the police did not witness the event, you must be able to identify both the vehicle and the driver/person who threw the object from the vehicle-not only at the time of the offense, but months later at trial. You would also be required to appear in court and testify and be cross examined reference the event. This is an obligation of every citizen who witnesses a crime.

14. Why did I have to put my fingerprint on the traffic ticket I received?

When a citizen is stopped in their car for a traffic violation and they do not have their driver's license with them to prove their identity, the officer will have the driver place their fingerprint on the ticket. We do not have a system in the field to capture prints other than with ink.