Towing Issues: Towing., tow truck driver, tow operator

Question
So heres the situation. I live on Colorado. I was parked at my friends apartment in a spot that I didn't know at the time was a tow away zone, although it was clearly marked. I ran out BEFORE the tow truck had my car chained, although it was there already and had my car blocked in. The tow truck driver told me that if I could pay $64 in cash, that he would not take the car. I did not have the money on me, but I had it in an apartment nearby. The driver told me I had five minutes to come back with the money. I left and ran to get the money, but when I returned with the cash, my car was gone. My question is this: Could I have moved my car since it was not already on the truck? And is it legal for the driver to tell me that I have five minutes to come up with the cash and then not wait? It just seems like he told me that to get me out of the situation.

Answer
It is appropriate for a tow operator to ask for a drop fee after HOOKING and or LIFTING the car. If neither of these conditions applied there could be a problem, especially if you had to prove it. In many situations the operator will ask for immediate cash payment as other payment options can be disputed or cancelled after the transaction. Some operations accept credit cards and some strict conditions do apply. As for the tow operator not waiting, that is also normal. Unless you have been a tow operator or a bill collector, people always say the check is in the mail or payment is only a minute away. As the old saying goes "Time is money". More than often some violators like to play games and waste a tow operator's time, five minutes turn to ten, ten to twenty or the all time favorite "my friend is coming with the money and right around the corner".