Colorado Scrap Metal Dealer Registration Requirements

Colorado regulates scrap metal dealers primarily at the county level under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-4-501 et seq. (the Theft chapter, which includes metal theft prevention provisions) and local county ordinances. Unlike states with a central registration agency, Colorado dealers must register in each county where they operate.

County-Level Registration Overview

Item	Detail
Issuing agency	County Clerk, County Sheriff, or County Assessor (varies)
Annual fee	$50–$200 (county-set)
Surety bond	None statewide; some counties require up to $5,000
Payment hold	3 business days for nonferrous metals and catalytic converters
Cash payment	No cash for catalytic converters in most Colorado jurisdictions
Record retention	1 year minimum

Jefferson County (Denver Metro)

Jefferson County requires scrap metal dealers to register with the Sheriff's Office. The annual fee is $100 per location. Jefferson County has an active metal theft task force that conducts regular compliance inspections, particularly for catalytic converter documentation.

El Paso County (Colorado Springs)

El Paso County registration is administered through the County Clerk's office. The annual fee is $75. El Paso County has adopted the LeadsOnline electronic reporting system — dealers are required to report all nonferrous metal transactions within 24 hours.

Denver Metro Area Note

The City and County of Denver has its own licensing requirements in addition to any county-level registration. Denver dealers should contact the Denver Business Licensing office and verify whether their specific location requires both city and county registration.

Colorado Catalytic Converter Law

Colorado's HB 22-1218 (effective 2022) requires dealers to: obtain the seller's vehicle VIN and current registration or title, photograph the converter and the seller, pay by check only, and implement a 3-business-day hold before payment. The law applies statewide regardless of county.

FAQ

Yes — if you purchase regulated materials in multiple Colorado counties, you generally need to register in each one. Colorado does not have a statewide registration that covers multiple counties. Mobile buying operations need to be particularly careful here — each county where you make purchases on a regular basis likely requires its own registration.

Colorado's state statute covers theft of metal from utility infrastructure and public property, which creates liability for dealers who purchase these items. The universal prohibited items — manhole covers, utility wire, guard rails, traffic signs — are covered under Colorado theft statutes even without a dealer-specific prohibited list. Individual counties may have more specific lists in their local ordinances.

Colorado scrap metal requirements vary by county. Contact the clerk's office or sheriff in each county where you operate before purchasing regulated metals. Not legal advice.