In a bid to curb the increasing theft of copper wire and other scrap metals, the Denver City Council has approved a set of regulations aimed at addressing this pressing issue while avoiding criminal penalties.
The new measures, passed on Monday, prohibit scrap metal recycling dealers from paying cash for high-value materials such as copper, bronze, brass, and aluminum.
Moreover, the regulations mandate that these dealers only accept materials transported in vehicles, effectively barring walk-up sellers who use shopping carts, bikes, or scooters from making sales.
Items like coins, cans, and precious metals such as gold and silver are exempt from these restrictions.
Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez, a key sponsor of this measure, stated, “What we are doing is targeting the underground economy that incentivizes theft of high-value materials — especially copper — which has led to thousands of dollars of theft around our city.”
The ordinance received approval by an 11-2 vote with dissenting opinions from Councilwomen Shontel Lewis and Sarah Parady.
Their concerns primarily revolved around the requirement that dealers pay sellers through checks instead of cash, which could adversely affect low-income individuals who lack access to bank accounts and depend on cash transactions for income from scrap metal sales.
In defense, Alvidrez and Councilman Darrell Watson pointed out that most sellers lacking banking options typically deal with recyclable materials that are exempt from the new regulations.
Watson asserted, “There is not really a magical bin of copper just sitting on the side of (the street) where folks are pulling out copper for survival.”
Under the approved ordinance, scrap metal dealers are now required to keep sales records for 180 days, cooperate with law enforcement, and obtain a “junk dealer license.”
These records must include photographic or video documentation of sellers, their license plates, as well as copies of their IDs.
Sellers will also need to sign an affidavit that confirms the source of their scrap metal.
Non-compliance with these regulations could result in fines of up to $5,000 per day for dealers.
The council’s approach follows the successful implementation of similar regulations targeting catalytic converter thefts in 2022, which saw a remarkable 95% reduction in such crimes, according to Watson.
This new ordinance is intended to build upon that success, particularly in neighborhoods north and northeast of downtown that have been most affected by copper thefts.
Since 2018, the city has reported over 2,100 incidents of metal theft.
Local organizations, including the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Denver Water, have voiced support for the newly enacted regulations.
RTD highlighted that copper wire theft has cost the transit system over $155,000 since 2022, not accounting for service interruptions caused by related incidents.
Marta Sipeki, a spokesperson for RTD, remarked, “Any regulation that disincentivizes and discourages copper wire thefts and reduces service impacts to our customers is welcomed by RTD.”
Additionally, Denver Parks and Recreation reported losses of $500,000 due to copper theft, with Watson emphasizing the potential for significant damage from even minor thefts.
While local scrap metal dealers generally supported the new regulations, some expressed concerns about the prohibition on cash payments.
CEO George Medley of Denver Scrap Metal Recycling, which played a crucial role in recovering stolen bronze pieces from the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial last year, noted the need to balance theft prevention with the livelihoods of those relying on scrap metal sales.
In an emailed statement, Medley stated, “We already know how to discourage theft and catch it when it occurs, and we have been implementing those practices for years.
Banning cash payments disproportionately harms low-income individuals and families who rely on legitimate scrap metal recycling as a source of income.”
The regulations are now in effect immediately.
image source from：https://www.denverpost.com/2025/06/04/denver-scrap-metal-regulations-copper-wire-theft-city-council/
