Complaint Review: Mile High Towing and Recovery

On the evening of 1/26/11 I parked in a parking lot at 7th and Logan (dowtown) which requires payment by cash inserted into metal slot boxes. I found that I did not have the exact amount required ($5) so I walked to the nearest restaurant (Benny's) to get some cash. Upon returning 5 minutes later I founda tow truck and the parking lot manager already at my vehicle.

Ioffered to pay the required fee to the lot manager but she stated that the fee once a tow truck has been called was $70.00. I refused to pay this fee and told her I would just leave. She told me I couldn't leave and stood in front of my car door, blocking access to my vehicle. A physical confrontation ensued and the police were called. To make a long story short, my vehicle got towed anyway and I ended up having to drive out to the impound lot (at 4300 Elati) to pick up my vehicle (at 10:30 PM) - and the fee for that was $275!

So I have two questions for any legal people (or who simply know the law regarding these practices) out there reading this:

1. It seems to me that the parking lot manager and the tow truck operator were in business together since it was the lot manager, not the tow truck operator, who insisted that I pay the $70 drop fee so that my vehicle wouldn't be towed. In other words, it seems to me (I have no proof of this) that the lot manager may get a kickback from any fee which the tow truck operator receives for towing a vehicle from the lot. Does anyone know whether this type of arrangementexists and islegal under Colorado law?

2. I know that under California law a vehicle cannot be towed unless it has been unattended for at least an hour and also cannot be towed if the owner is present and denies permission for the towing. Do similar requirements exist in Colorado? Is there a minimum time limit by which a vehicle cannot be towed?

Thanks to anyone who can answer these questions.