How bail bonds work
From the call
to the door,
step by step.
No one prepares for the call. This page exists so that when it comes, you know what is about to happen — and on what timeline.
The arc
Six steps. A few hours.
The exact wall-clock time depends on the facility and the charge. The order does not change.
Step 1
The call.
You tell us who was arrested, where they were taken, and what the charge appears to be. We confirm the booking with the facility and the conditions on release. This call usually takes five to ten minutes.
Step 2
The premium.
Once we know the bond amount, we quote the premium — Colorado's standard 15% by default, 10% on larger bonds with a qualified cosigner. The premium is non-refundable; it is the fee for writing and posting the bond.
Step 3
The application.
We send a secure link to your phone or email. The defendant's information goes in one section, the cosigner's information in another. Photo ID, Social Security number, proof of income, employment, proof of address. We tell you exactly which fields matter and why.
Step 4
The signature.
Electronic signature on the bond contract. The cosigner agrees that if the defendant does not appear, they are responsible for the full bond amount. We walk you through what that means before you sign.
Step 5
The bond, posted.
We file the bond with the holding facility — most of the time, electronically. From the moment posting is accepted, the jail's release queue takes over. Our typical posting window is one to two hours after the bond is set; the actual walk-out time varies by facility.
Step 6
After release.
There will be conditions. There will be a court date. We stay reachable for both — and for transfers between counties, condition modifications, and second postings if those become necessary.
Cost
What you actually pay.
You do not pay the full bail amount. You pay a small, non-refundable premium to the bondsman. That premium is what lets us post the bond on the defendant's behalf.
Standard premium
Set by Colorado regulation.
15%
With qualified cosigner
Available on larger bonds.
10%
What's refundable
The premium is the fee, not a deposit.
$0
Timing
What the clock looks like.
These windows are the parts of the process the jail and the court control. Our job is to be ready the moment they hand the bond off to us.
Mandatory hold (DUI)
8 hours
First appearance (most charges)
Within 48 hours
Our posting after the bond is set
1 to 2 hours
Average defendant release window
2 to 4 hours
Cosigner
What it means to sign.
A cosigner is the person who signs the bond contract on the defendant's behalf and accepts financial responsibility for the defendant appearing in court. It is a real obligation — read the contract carefully before signing.
Cosigners typically need stable employment, solid credit, and local residence. Acceptable identification includes a valid driver's license or passport, plus a Social Security number, proof of income, and proof of address. For larger bonds, the cosigner may also pledge collateral — most often real estate or a paid-off vehicle with documented equity.
If the bond is over the discount threshold and the cosigner qualifies, the premium drops from 15% to 10%. We tell you on the first call whether that applies in your situation.
Have a question that does not appear here? Read the full FAQ or call 720-984-2245.
When you're ready
Don't wait. Every hour matters.
A real bondsman picks up — open 24 hours, every day of the year.