New bill proposed to curb catalytic converter thefts

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- With an uptick in catalytic converters being stolen across Colorado, lawmakers are now working on a plan to curb thieves.

Senate Bill 22-009, Recertification And Theft Of Catalytic Converters, would make it illegal to install, sell, or advertise used or salvaged catalytic converters.

A catalytic converter contains metals like rhodium, platinum, and palladium. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office says those metals make catalytic converters worth more than gold.

Those in favor of the bill say it will help cut down on crime because the parts will no longer be as valuable.

The bill is co-sponsored by State Senator Dennis Hisey from District 2.

In Hisey's opinion, part of the reason it's such an issue in Colorado is that the state now operates under a California emissions standard, which requires only original equipment parts.

He says the bill would fix that.

"It directs the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, who regulate air quality, to put rules together to allow aftermarket converters," he said. "So instead of just saying 'you can't do it,' it says, 'figure out a way to do it.'"

The bill is two-fold though and would bring stricter penalties. It would also add catalytic converters to the definition of "major component motor vehicle part” and would change the definition of "commodity metal" to include rhodium, hoping to decrease the incentive to steal the parts too.

However, those opposed say the metals inside the converters are still expensive and can be scraped down for sale, making the bill less effective.

Currently, SB22-009 has bipartisan support and is expected to make its way through the Colorado General Assembly over the next two months.

In October, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office told KRDO thieves had gotten more "brazen" and were stealing catalytic converters in broad daylight from cars parked in driveways.