Towing in Colorado Springs: Costs, Winter Rules and Your Rights

Last updated October 29, 2026 · By Advanced Towing Solutions

Key takeaways

• Get one total, out-the-door price before dispatch, and ask whether mileage is included.
• Ask for the carrier's PUC permit number. A legitimate company gives it right away.
• Request a flatbed for AWD, 4x4, electric, lowered or damaged vehicles.
• Colorado law gives drivers specific rights after a non-consent tow, including cash and card payment and an itemized bill on request.
• A junk car can often be hauled away free, and sometimes you get paid for it.

What to do first when your car breaks down

Your safety comes before the tow. First, pull as far off the road as you can and turn on your hazard lights. On I-25, Powers Boulevard, Highway 85/87 or Highway 115, stay buckled in or move well away from traffic. Standing between your car and passing traffic is the most dangerous place to be. If anyone is hurt, or the vehicle is blocking a lane, call 911 before you call a tow company.

Once you're safe, have these details ready for dispatch:

• Your exact location: cross streets, an exit number or the nearest mile marker
• Year, make and model
• Whether the car rolls, steers and shifts into neutral
• Where it should go: home, a repair shop, a dealership or a scrap buyer

How to choose a towing company in Colorado Springs

A big ad or a "favorite" claim tells you little. Instead, ask these four questions on the phone.

Are you licensed in Colorado?

Colorado requires towing carriers to hold a permit from the Public Utilities Commission. The Colorado PUC towing page explains what that permit covers and how to check a carrier. Carriers that cross state lines also hold a USDOT number. Ask for both numbers.

What is the total price?

Ask for the full amount, including the hook-up, the miles and the drop-off. Then ask whether nights, weekends or extra equipment cost more.

When will the truck arrive?

A dispatcher who knows the area can give you a real ETA in minutes. "Soon" isn't an answer, especially in snow.

Do you have the right truck?

If your vehicle is AWD, 4x4 or electric, ask for a flatbed by name.

What affects the price of a tow

Three factors set the price: distance, vehicle and situation. A short tow of a car that rolls freely costs the least. A winch-out from a ditch, a heavy truck, or a long haul to Denver or Pueblo costs more.

At Advanced Towing Solutions, you hear one flat price before we dispatch, and that's the price you pay. To keep any bill predictable:

• Confirm that the quote includes the miles.
• Ask about after-hours charges up front.
• Request an itemized receipt, because your insurer will want one.

Flatbed, wheel-lift or roadside service?

Many calls don't need a tow at all. A jump start, a lockout opening or a spare-tire swap often costs less and gets you moving sooner. See all our towing and roadside services.

Winter towing and Colorado's traction law

Snow changes everything on the Front Range. Under Colorado's passenger vehicle Traction Law, your tires need at least 3/16" of tread and must be all-weather, M+S or winter-rated. Otherwise, you must carry chains or an approved traction device. The law is in force on I-70 from Morrison to Dotsero between September 1 and May 31, and CDOT can also put it into effect on any state highway during a storm. Breaking it costs a $100 fine plus a $33 surcharge, and if your car blocks a lane, the fine rises to $500 plus a $157 surcharge (CDOT).

• Check your tread depth before you drive up Ute Pass or toward Monument Hill in a storm.
• If you slide off the road, don't keep spinning your tires. Wait for a winch-out instead.
• Expect longer ETAs during storms, and ask dispatch for an honest estimate.

Your rights if your car was towed without your permission

If your car was towed from a private lot or an apartment complex, that was a non-consent tow. Colorado's HB22-1314 took effect on August 10, 2022, and gives you several protections (Colorado General Assembly):

• Before connecting to your car, the carrier must photograph its condition and the reason for the tow.
• The carrier must accept cash and major credit cards, and give you an itemized bill on request.
• The carrier must post the PUC's maximum rates, along with how to file a complaint, at its business and on its website.
• No storage fee may be charged for a day the vehicle wasn't actually stored.
• Within 30 days of notice, you can get your vehicle back by paying the lesser of 15% of the fees or $60 and signing a form for the balance.

If you believe a tow broke these rules, file a complaint with the Colorado PUC.

Free junk car removal in Fountain and south Colorado Springs

An old car taking up space is often worth money. Its weight, its parts and current scrap prices usually cover the cost of the trip. As a result, we haul most junk cars away free across Fountain, Security-Widefield and south Colorado Springs. See how free junk car removal works.

• Find the title. Colorado buyers normally need it signed over, and the Colorado DMV explains how to transfer ownership.
• Remove your personal items and license plates.
• Tell us whether the car is complete, so the offer is accurate.

Areas we serve

Advanced Towing Solutions dispatches across Colorado Springs and El Paso County. That includes Fountain, Security-Widefield, Fort Carson, Downtown, the Powers Corridor, Briargate, Manitou Springs, Monument, Falcon, Peyton and Black Forest. We also handle long-distance tows anywhere in Colorado and out of state.

Frequently asked questions