Some Idaho Springs locals are asking ‘Where did Allied Towing go?’

At the Idaho Springs post office, in the grocery store or on the street, people have been asking: “Where is Allied?”

Allied towing moved into its location on east Colorado Boulevard in 1980 and started a mechanic shop that has grown into one of the largest tow truck operations in the area.

After 40 years, owner Jimmy Clark said the business finally outgrew the location.

“We’ve moved on to bigger and better things. It’s new beginnings with 30-plus acres, a mechanic shop and 3000 square foot office,” Clark said.

Allied Towing moves to 3121 County Rd 308 in Dumont after 40-years in Idaho Springs March 5. Credit: Chris Koeberl

Allied Towing will continue to cover all of Clear Creek County for towing and will continue to provide auto diagnostics, service and tires at the new location.

The extra shop space at 3121 County Road 308 in Dumont allows more room for what Clark called the latest automotive diagnostic equipment for the repair side of the business.

The new land allows Allied to temporarily store some of the massive tractor trailers Clark and his drivers haul off the I-70 corridor through Clear Creek County and retrieve from Berthoud, Loveland and S Passes.

In fact, Allied tows for five police agencies and now reaches into Gilpin County, according to Clark.

To get it done, Allied has five full-time employees and drivers and operates nine tow trucks, according to Clark.

Two of the vehicles are powerful enough to lift a tractor-trailer from the pavement and haul it off the road and out of the way, Clark said.

One of the tractor trailers Allied pulled from the I-70 corridor after crash March 5. Credit: Chris Koeberl

He added that the latest addition to the fleet is a 50-ton 2022 Kenworth. Its 3-axle frame can lift 100 tons and haul it away.

Looking at the twisted metal, shattered glass and melted tires of the trucks in temporary storage at Allied, you realize Clark or one of his drivers had to go to the scene of the crash to do their job of hooking up and taking away.

It means getting up close to what’s left of often violent crashes, where at times, not everyone walked away. 

Twisted wreckage of tractor trailer pulled from the highway by Allied Towing March 5. Credit: Chris Koeberl

“It’s a necessary evil,” Clark said. “It’s an important thing and unfortunately that importance sometimes can weigh heavy on a driver.”

Responding law enforcement, first responders, paramedics, firefighters and tow truck operators often arrive at the same scene time and time again, Clark said, adding that they know each other and often deal with the trauma together. 

“Everybody is a big family that we share out there on the highway,” he said.

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