Colorado has the highest number of robocalls per capita in 2019

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A new study shows Colorado was the state receiving the highest number of robocalls in 2019, with an estimated 2,403 calls per 100,000 residents.

The recent report by Provision Living, used data from the FTC's National Do Not Call Registry to analyze which states had the most robocall complaints. Colorado topped the list with a total of 130,640 robocall complaints; Arizona, Oregon, and Nevada were close behind with the most complaints per capita.

"Unfortunately, seniors are among the hardest hit when it comes to scam phone calls," the report stated. "In fact, people 60 and older lost a total of $298 million to scams and fraud in 2019, according to the Federal Trade Commission."

The study also studied the growth trend of robocalls in past years and found there's been "an average annual increase of 14% since 2015."

Still, local lawmakers are hopeful that U.S. agencies will be better equipped to track and fine these robocallers after President Donald Trump signed into law the TRACED Act on December 30.

Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, who backed the new measure, says TRACED would require phone companies to authenticate phone calls and allow robocallers to be fined up to $10,000.

“Every Coloradan knows the frustration of being inundated with incessant robocalls, and this new law will help end this illegal practice," Gardner said. “Robocalls are not only a nuisance, but they also pose significant harm to consumers, oftentimes with the intent to defraud or steal personal information. The TRACED Act will help stop these illegal calls and ensure that scammers cannot harass and take advantage of hard-working people.”

Will Wiquist, a spokesperon for the Federal Communications Commission, said there haven't been any increased fines issued under the new law yet.

"That said, we have taken a number of very strong enforcement actions against spoofing and robocalls in recent years," said Wiquist, citing actions totaling over $240 million against three telemarketers for apparent illegal caller ID spoofing.

Detective Jon Price, who used to work for the Financial Crimes Unit in El Paso County Sheriff's Office, says he's hopeful that the new law will curb some of the rogue robocallers.

"So that's good for the consumers, that we don't have to do anything and hopefully the phone companies can take a bite out of this problem for us," Price said.