Pair of Ginal Bills to Crack Down on Catalytic Converter Thefts, Create a Safer Colorado Win Unanimous Committee Approval
Legislation will reduce crime, improve public safety
DENVER, CO - The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously approved a pair of bills sponsored by Senator Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) to crack down on catalytic converter thefts and create a safer Colorado.
SB22-179, cosponsored by Senator Larry Liston (R-Colorado Springs), would create civil penalties for offenses related to catalytic converter theft, while HB22-1217 would create a grant program - funded by penalties accrued under SB22-179 - aimed at increasing public awareness around catalytic converter theft and providing financial assistance to victims of catalytic converter theft.
“Catalytic converter theft has become a crisis here in Colorado and throughout our nation, and it’s only getting worse,” said Ginal. “Coloradans depend on their cars for everyday things like getting to work and picking up groceries, and an inoperable car can cause real harm and unnecessary costs. This legislation will help crack down on those thefts, educate folks on how to keep their property secure, and help make the victims of catalytic converter theft whole.”
Cracking down on catalytic converter theft is a top priority for General Assembly Democrats this session. Ginal’s bipartisan SB22-009, which recently passed the Senate, would cut down on the spiking number of catalytic converter thefts across Colorado by giving state regulators more oversight of aftermarket sales of catalytic converters and make it easier to prosecute “chop shops” for selling stolen ones.
Catalytic converters control the exhaust emissions from vehicles and play an important role in reducing harmful emissions. They have recently become a target for thieves because they contain precious metal alloys that have high resale values.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts nationwide have more than quadrupled recently, from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020.
SB22-179 and HB22-1217 will now move to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.