Catalytic Converter Thefts Plummet in Colorado

Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise for years in the United States. One county in Colorado has been hit especially hard over the past three years with over 8,000 reports of catalytic converter thefts from 2021 to 2023.

Catalytic Converter Thefts in Denver, Colorado

It is no secret that Denver has an issue when it comes to crime. Especially when it involves vehicles. Catalytic converters in some vehicles are targeted due to the makeup of this part of the exhaust system as there are precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These precious metals can fetch more than $1,000 per ounce in their raw forms.

This is the main reason why thieves target this part of the vehicle as it can be easily cut out from underneath with a motorized hacksaw. Catalytic converters are also very expensive to replace in the state of Colorado, making it a very big headache to get replaced for the owner of the car.

Get our free mobile app

Thankfully, there has been a dramatic drop in catalytic converter thefts in Denver, Colorado. According to KDVR, there have only been 105 reported catalytic converter thefts in the city and county of Denver in 2024. That is a decrease of 95.2 percent since last year.

Two of Denver's hardest-hit areas include District One, Auraria, Highland, and Lincoln Park, and District Two, Denver International Airport and its parking lots and rental car lots have seen significant reductions in thefts of catalytic converters in 2024. Other districts of Denver saw an even bigger decrease in thefts in 2024.