Aurora City Council approves law to curb catalytic converter thefts

The City of Aurora is trying to deter catalytic converter thefts. The Aurora City Council gave final approval to a measure that will make it harder to sell stolen catalytic converters.

The measure, which is now law, will require those that purchase the parts to record the sale and report it.

Buyers must be licensed as a secondhand dealer and record the sale in the "Leads Online" database. It's a national reporting system for secondhand property often used by law enforcement. 

Colorado's stricter emission standards that went into place this year are meant to help the state's air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it has resulted in some car parts becoming more expensive. 

However, some thieves aren't looking to sell the actual car part. Precious metals in catalytic converters can be worth hundreds at scrapyards.

Catalytic converters help control exhaust emissions in vehicles. You often won't know it's gone until you start your car. Not only are these crimes detrimental to the lives of working Coloradans, stolen catalytic converters are also bad for the environment. 

Aurora has reported more than 400 thefts so far this year. Denver has at least triple that number. 

Aurora City Council members hope other cities in the Denver metro area will approve similar measures to curb the thefts.