There’s no shortage of business on campus for Marv’s Quality Towing.
The Boulder company concentrates on CU and its surrounding areas, and tows cars through a collaborative effort with CU Parking and Transportation Services. Marv’s focuses especially on CU’s campus and the surrounding neighborhoods, and it proves to be lucrative.
According to Parking and Transportation Services Director David Lieb, about 15 cars are towed from campus every month, a steady statistic since 2009. Lieb said that his department’s enforcement personnel call for a tow when the situation warrants.
Michael Roberts, an employee at Marv’s, said that the number of cars towed depends on the number of calls they receive from CU and the City of Boulder.
“We don’t respond unless these agencies like CU call us out there,” Roberts said. “And if everyone pays their parking tickets, then we don’t tow.”
Students who live off-campus are worried about being towed from nearby neighborhoods.
Rhyan Hirst, a senior broadcast news major, had her car towed from 16th Street across from University Memorial Center and was required to pay $90 to retrieve her vehicle from the Marv’s tow lot.
“They only accepted cash, which makes me question where my money is going exactly,” Hirst said. “It feels illegitimate and, to be honest, it is a rip-off.”
Hirst believes that it is appropriate to tow in certain situations, but that it should be a last resort.
“I also just do not understand why it is so expensive,” Hirst said. “I have talked to people who have paid upwards of $400 for a towed vehicle and that is outrageous.”
According to Lieb, fees vary based on the type of tow and go directly to Marv’s. CU only receives money from fines, which can lead to a car being towed if the owner receives multiple parking citations totaling $125 or more.
Lieb suggests refraining from parking in reserved spaces, fire lanes or other safety zones and paying tickets on time. He said the best way to prevent a vehicle being towed is checking signs before parking.
“Paying attention to and abiding by the rules is the best way to avoid being towed,” Lieb said.
Parking permits are another preventative measure. Students who live on campus or a nearby area like the Hill can purchase parking permits from CU’s Parking and Transportation Services or the City of Boulder’s Parking Services department here.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kelsey McWilliams at kelsey.mcwilliams@colorado.edu, twitter.com/kelsmcw.
