Senate Passes Ginal’s Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Crime, Cut Down on Catalytic Converter Thefts

Legislation to help reduce rising crime rates and protect consumers heads to the House 

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved Senator Joann Ginal's (D-Fort Collins) bipartisan legislation aimed at cracking down on stolen catalytic converters in Colorado. 

The bill, SB22-009, 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 converter theft has become a huge problem here in Colorado and throughout our nation, and it’s only getting worse,” said Sen. 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 bill will allow the state to go after the market that encourages these crimes and better protect Coloradans property and our communities.”

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.

SB22-009 would give law enforcement more tools to address theft, and disincentivize the crime well into the future.

The bill will now move to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill here.