The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office wishes to inform its residents and those traveling in the County of its procedures in the event of an Accident Alert.

There are times when it will be necessary for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to go into Accident Alert status. When this happens, it may not be possible to respond to all minor traffic occurrences. When on Accident Alert status, the Sheriff’s Office requests you file a counter report if your traffic accident fits the following criteria:

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is on accident alert and the accident occurred on a County Road:

  • No fatality or injury requiring medical attention was sustained by any person(s) involved in the accident, and;
  • No driver involved in the accident is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and;
  • The accident does not involve damage to any public property (a road sign, utility pole, etc.) other than wildlife, and;
  • All vehicles and drivers involved are present at the scene and the driver, vehicle and insurance information is available to be exchanged, and;
  • No tow truck is required (except to get a vehicle unstuck or change a tire)

The accident occurs on private property and:

  • No fatality or injury requiring medical attention was sustained by any person(s) involved in the accident, and;
  • No driver involved in the accident is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and;
  • All vehicles and drivers involved are present at the scene and the driver, vehicle and insurance information is available to be exchanged (a hit and run accident involving an unoccupied parked vehicle shall be counter reported if the suspect driver is not know known by name or the suspect vehicle can not be described to include the license plate number)

What information should I get from the other driver?

If you are able to counter report your accident, please obtain the following information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Date of birth
  • Driver's license number and state
  • Name, address, phone number of vehicle owner (if different from driver)
  • Vehicle year, make, model, color, license plate number & state, vehicle identification number
  • Insurance company, policy number & expiration date, agent's name & phone number

Where can I get a copy of the State of Colorado Traffic Accident Report form?

You may pick up a copy of the State of Colorado Traffic Accident Report from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, or at any law enforcement office. For your convenience you may wish to use the Colorado State Patrol Online Accident Reporting System».

What information do I need to put on the Accident Report?

  • Date, time & location of the accident
  • Your driver's license, registration & insurance information on the left side
  • Other driver's license, registration & insurance information on the right side
  • A description of what happened to include your direction of travel, other driver's direction of travel, whether the accident happened in an intersection or mid-block & location of damage on the vehicles. Example: I was going north on Nevada in the right lane through the intersectionof Colorado. The other car came from my right on Colorado and hit the right front door of my car with its front end.
  • Name, address & phone number of any passengers in your car
  • Name, address & phone number of any witnesses

What do I do with the Counter Report Form?

Complete the form and mail it to:

State of Colorado
Motor Vehicle Division Traffic Records
Denver, CO 80261-0016

The Colorado State Patrol cannot accept this form. You must mail it directly to the State Motor Vehicle Division or use the on-line reporting system and it will be automatically submitted to the State of Colorado. (https://crash.state.co.us/)

Will enforcement action be taken at a later date against either driver in a cold accident report situation?

  • No, the Sheriff’s Office will not take enforcement action against either driver for "causing the accident.“ At this point, the report is prepared to satisfy a State of Colorado requirement that the accident be reported and for insurance purposes.
  • Colorado state law requires that ALL motor vehicle accidents be reported to the proper law enforcement authorities (42-4-1606, CRS). A traffic accident is defined as unintentional damage or injury caused by the movement of a vehicle or its load. Completion of a counter report fulfills this reporting obligation.

Additional information you should know:

  • All forms must be completed and returned to the State of Colorado within 10 days of your traffic accident which occurred during a Cold Reporting Period
  • Call your insurance agent, advise him/her of the accident and follow their instructions
  • It is advisable to make a photocopy of the report before sending it to the State

For more information

Please contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 303-660-7505 should you have additional questions.