Colorado agencies launch first-in-nation program to combat catalytic converter theft

Colorado is the first state in the nation to launch an initiative aimed at providing vehicle owners with more protection against catalytic converter theft as the issue continues to surge throughout the country.

AAA Colorado and Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority have partnered to offer a program in which serial numbers are etched on catalytic converters. The number will then be entered into a database searchable by law enforcement, salvage yards and recyclers throughout the state to ensure the part hasn’t been stolen. The program is free for vehicle owners in Colorado, said J. Skyler McKinley, AAA, regional director and public affairs.

“Obviously catalytic converter theft is a huge problem,” he said. “We’ve seen thousands of cases (more than) in 2019 and 2020. We are the first to figure out how we might be able to tackle this and if we nail it, other states will turn to Colorado and say ‘That’s the state that finally figured out how to stop catalytic converter theft.’”

In 2019, there were 151 catalytic converters reported stolen statewide, McKinley said. The following year, the thefts spiked to 930, and this year so far, there have been 2,485, an increase of 1,556% over 2019.

Read more: https://www.dailycamera.com/2021/07/03/colorado-agencies-launch-first-in-nation-program-to-combat-catalytic-converter-theft/