Colorado (GUC) Airport Cash Seizure Lawyer

Skilled Asset Forfeiture Attorney for Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport

Law enforcement and government agencies are vigilant about intercepting and seizing property believed to be connected to criminal activity. This often leads to people with large amounts of cash getting stopped at airports and having their money seized. If your money has been confiscated by law enforcement at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, a Colorado asset forfeiture can help protect your rights and take appropriate legal action.

Attorney Arnold Spencer of Spencer & Associates has decades of experience, and across his career, he has handled hundreds of trial cases. We will work diligently to help you recover your property, intensely scrutinizing law enforcement procedures and building a case on your behalf.

What Is Civil Asset Forfeiture?

Civil asset forfeiture is a legal process that allows law enforcement agencies to seize property—often cash, vehicles, or real estate—believed to be involved in criminal activity. Unlike criminal forfeiture, which requires a conviction, civil forfeiture targets the property itself as if it were a wrongdoer. In practice, the government initiates a civil lawsuit against the asset, seeking to demonstrate that it is connected to illicit conduct such as drug trafficking, money laundering, or other federal offenses.

When Can Cash Be Seized at GUC?

Cash and monetary instruments can be seized at GUC whenever agents have reasonable cause to believe the funds are connected to criminal activity. This includes situations in which the currency's source or intended use appears linked to narcotics distribution, smuggling, or other federal crimes. Agents may examine travel itineraries, interview passengers, and review financial documents to establish reasonable suspicion.

In addition to criminal suspicions, travelers must comply with federal reporting requirements. Any amount of currency over $10,000 in cash or monetary instruments must be declared to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before departure or upon arrival. Failure to declare funds exceeding this threshold is itself a violation that can lead to immediate seizure.

Even when declarations are made, law enforcement agencies can still detain funds if they suspect the currency is destined for unlawful purposes. Travelers are often advised to carry proof of a legitimate source like bank withdrawal slips or documentation of lawful business operations to reduce the risk of forfeiture.

Challenging Civil Asset Forfeiture in Colorado

Property owners in Colorado have legal recourse to get their money back from a civil asset forfeiture. First, they may file a claim with the seizing agency within the time frame specified in the notice of seizure—typically within 30 days. The claim must assert a valid ownership interest and articulate why the assets are not subject to forfeiture under federal or state law. This typically involves demonstrating that the seized money is not connected to illegal activity.

Under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, you have a right to a hearing to contest a seizure of your property. Our firm can represent you in courtroom proceedings and hearings to fight for your assets.

In civil asset forfeiture cases, the prosecution must prove "by a preponderance of evidence" that the seized assets are connected to a crime, which only requires the government to show that it was more likely than not that the assets were tied to illegal activity. This is a lower bar than beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the standard for criminal cases. Our firm can challenge the prosecutor's case by highlighting a lack of concrete evidence or bringing the court's attention to unlawful seizures.

Contact a Colorado (GUC) Cash Seizure Forfeiture Attorney Today

If your cash has been seized by law enforcement at GUC, reach out to Spencer & Associates for legal counsel and assistance. Call us at 303-997-2850 or contact our Gunnison-Crested Butte (GUC) airport cash seizure lawyer for a free consultation.