Posting Bond at El Paso County Jail: Your Rights Under Colorado Law and How to Pay Online
Trying to get someone released from El Paso County Jail? Colorado law gives you clear protections around what you need to pay, what you don't, and how quickly release should happen once bond is posted.
Under Colorado law (HB 25-1015), the jail cannot require you to pay bond fees, booking fees, or other fees or debts to secure release on a money bond. The defendant, a surety, or another third-party payer only needs to pay the bond amount itself. That protection applies even when bond is posted online. If someone tells you that extra fees must be paid before release can happen, that's not what the law says.
El Paso County Jail does charge a $10 nonrefundable fee for each bond. This fee exists, but it's separate from what's required to secure release on a money bond. Your priority should be getting the bond amount posted so the release process can begin.
The jail also charges a $30 booking fee each time someone is booked. Like other fees, this should not be treated as a condition of release on a money bond. If you're trying to move quickly, keep the conversation focused on the bond amount that was set.
Note: If a surety or third-party payer chooses not to pay fees at the time of bonding, the $10 bond fee and up to a 3.5% credit card payment fee may be charged as a debt to the defendant after release.
Colorado law also sets a release timeline tied to money bond. For online bond postings at El Paso County Jail, the six-hour release clock starts when the defendant, surety, or third-party payer submits payment or electronically files a power of attorney. If you're paying online, note the exact time you submitted payment or filed the electronic paperwork. That's the moment the clock begins.
- Call to make an online bond payment - Bonds may be paid online by debit or credit card by calling 719-390-2142.
- Have your payment method ready - The jail accepts debit and credit cards for these online or phone bond payments.
- Save your submission time - If you are tracking release timing, note when the payment is submitted, since that matters for the six-hour timeline when bond is posted online.
If you believe these bond-related provisions were violated, you can file a complaint with El Paso County Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs at 719-520-7345 or by email at SHROTSComplaints@elpasoco.com.
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