Towing Issues: Towing from Private Lot without signs?, claims case, fire lane

Question
I recently parked in a large office building lot in Englewood, CO near the Fiddler's Green Ampitheater.  My friends and I were going to be attending a concert and the lot had a large sign out front that said "Free Parking" and nothing more.  The lot across the street was charging $20 so we thought this was a great deal!  The lot was packed, and since we knew we would be leaving my car there overnight and catching another ride home (to avoid a DUI), we specifically checked around the entire parking lot for signs regarding towing, hourly parking, or private parking.  There were none of the sort.  The only signs were "No Parking in Fire Lane" signs.  The next morning I returned to get my car and it had been towed, along with many others.  The lot was coned off and construction was being performed in the lot. No vehicles had been towed from the other side of the building where there wasn't any construction...only the ones on our side.  The construction manager said there were not any signs posted about future construction when he had arrived that morning.  After calling the property manager, he told me that the lot was private and I shouldn't have parked there.  However, as I stated previously, there weren't any signs (I took pictures of the entire lot for proof).  Also, there had been the large "Free Parking" sign posted in front of the lot the night before!  Do I have a small claims case here?  Are Private Parking/towing/hourly signs required for supposed private lots?  And what are my rights regarding following signs (Free Parking) that entice me to park there?
Thanks for your help!

Answer
Well at the risk of sounding rude or mean, I hate to say it but parking in any lot other than the lot for the business or place you are going to is wrong, and as such becomes illegal parking or trespassing...

Now the "FREE PARKING" sign (to me) sounds like you fell for a bit of a scam...  There are all kinds of scams in parking lot towing stories and I could list dozens of variations of them...

But this might of been the tow company who was doing this, the construction company or just about anyone...
As to who was responsible for putting up that sign, well it could be any one or even it could be where someone either "covered up or removed" the part that said "NO" FREE PARKING on that sign...


To many variables in this one.

Your rights, well as always you have the rights to sue anyone you think was responsible, connected or what ever with the scam but it will be hard as that would require you to determine who was responsible for this issue...

But the property owner - manager is right it was private property and as such they have the rights to have vehicles towed which are parked there illegally...

Just because there might be a confusing sign or what ever does not change "basic sense"...

If it does not seem right or to good to be true then most likely it is not legal...

Just one of those "life lessons" which happen from time to time I think...

But if you want to go to the small claims court it is your right to do so... But remember its a "legal action" and as such you need proof to back up your side.