In Colorado, the IRS deadline is firm: your vehicle must be picked up on or before December 31 for your donation to count toward this tax year. With Ride to Relief (benefiting Heritage for the Blind), pickups run Monday–Saturday all year, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. In most Front Range metro areas, when you contact us on a weekday before early afternoon, we can often schedule same-day or next-day towing. To guarantee a December 31 pickup slot, call or submit the 2-minute form by about December 27–28, with your signed title ready.
We’re local to Colorado donors from Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, and Arvada to Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, Loveland, and beyond. Mountain and Western Slope communities like Grand Junction, Durango, Glenwood Springs, and Summit County are also covered through our statewide towing partners. Your car, truck, SUV, or van is towed free, running or not, with no emissions test or repairs required. Proceeds support services for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind, a registered 501(c)(3). Lock in this year’s deduction now and clear your driveway before the snow really hits.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2-minute donation
2 minutesComplete our quick online form or call us. We’ll ask for basic info about your vehicle, where it’s located in Colorado, and how to reach you. No inspection, photos, or credit card required—this just gets your pickup into the system fast.
Choose a pickup day before Dec 31
2–5 minutesOur team checks local towing availability in your Colorado area (Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Western Slope, and more) and offers the earliest open slots. Call by Dec 27–28 to reliably reserve a Dec 31 pickup window for this tax year.
Get your signed Colorado title ready
5–10 minutesBefore the tow truck arrives, locate your Colorado title and sign where indicated for a donor/seller. The vehicle must have a signed title at pickup so ownership can legally transfer and your donation qualifies for an IRS tax deduction.
Free tow, even if the car won’t start
30–60 minutes at pickupOn pickup day, the towing partner meets you or follows your agreed instructions (e.g., keys in a safe spot) in places like Aurora, Lakewood, Boulder, or Pueblo. They load your vehicle at no cost to you, regardless of condition or mileage.
Receive your IRS-ready donation receipt
Within weeks of saleAfter your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends you written acknowledgment and the IRS Form 1098-C when required. This documentation shows the sale amount and supports your charitable deduction when you file your federal return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s deduction
For IRS purposes, your donation counts in the year the charity actually takes possession. In Colorado, that means your vehicle must be towed away on or before December 31 to claim the deduction on this year’s tax return.
Form 1098-C for larger deductions
If your donated vehicle sells for more than the IRS reporting threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross sale price and accompanies your tax return to substantiate your charitable vehicle deduction.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, the IRS limits your vehicle donation deduction to the amount the charity receives when selling it. Your receipt or Form 1098-C will list that sale price, which you use when claiming the deduction on Schedule A if you itemize.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To use a vehicle donation as a federal tax deduction, you generally must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can help you decide which approach is better for your situation.
30-day written acknowledgment
Once your donated vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends you written acknowledgment, typically within a few weeks. This written notice, or Form 1098-C when applicable, is what you keep with your records for IRS documentation.