Scrap Metal Laws By State

Colorado Scrap Metal Laws

Payment Restrictions:

Colorado has special payment restrictions, see the legal mandates below. Nexus handles ALL payment restrictions automatically. For instance, if a material can only be paid by check, Nexus will disable CASH & ATM buttons and only allow the operator to generate a check, which Nexus generates and prints for you.

Fingerprinting:

Colorado does not require fingerprints.

Video Recording:

Colorado requires facilities to record video using security cameras. Nexus tracks time, dates and weights for each material -- making locating a video for law enforcement extremely easy!

Tag and Hold:

Colorado requires yards to tag-and-hold certain materials for a period of time to give law enforcement time to locate possibly stolen material matching that description. Once tag-and-hold expires, the material can be recycled. Nexus handles all of this scheduling for you -- 100% automated with no manual input required.

License Scanning:

Colorado requires each customers drivers license, ID card, consulate ID or passport to be scanned and kept on file. Nexus automates this process by taking a picture of the license, scanning all the data, letting you know when it expires and keeping it on file forever!

Vehicle Descriptions:

Colorado requires every purchase of scrap metal to also have the customer or drivers vehicle information recorded as part of the transaction. Nexus keeps track of every vehicle for you, as well as the number of occupants!

Taking Photographs of Materials:

Colorado does not require images to be taken of materials. However, it is always a good idea for law enforcement. Nexus does this automatically, unlike other systems, your employees won't have to click any buttons or do anything manually to capture images.

Taking Photographs of Customers Faces:

Colorado does not require facial photographs. However, it is always a good idea for law enforcement. Nexus does this automatically, unlike other systems, your employees won't have to click any buttons or do anything manually to capture images.

Notify Law Enforcement:

Colorado does not require law enforcement notification.

NMVTIS Reporting:

ALL STATES, not just Colorado are required to report vehicle purchases to NMVTIS through services like Add123.com or Nexus' integrated reporting system. Failure to report vehicles results in a $1,500 fine PER VEHICLE by the federal government. Nexus handles vehicle purchases, VIN number decoding and NMVTIS reporting automatically!

Legal Mandates

Updated January 2014

State Requirements

In order to sell scrap metal, sellers will be required to:

Allow a copy of the seller’s a driver's license or state ID card;
Sign a statement indicating that they are the owner of or are authorized to sell the metal;
Sign a statement that they have not been convicted of metal theft.

Buyer’s must:

Record make, model and license plate number of sellers vehicle used to transport scrap
Keep a record of sellers name, address and date of sale
A video or photograph of the seller and the material being sold, including a description and weight of the material. (Must be kept on file for 180 days)
All sales tickets must have location of sale, date and time of the sale, as well as the initials of the clerk completing the sale.
- Must also show the weight, quantity and/or volume of the material.
- Sales tickets must be signed by the seller. Seller will receive a copy of the receipt and buyer will retain a copy.

· Buyer must report purchased vehicle information to NMVTIS

· Tag and hold policies are in effect (5 days)

NOTE: Please be aware of your local ordinances. Many cities and counties have additional ordinances that may not be listed here.

Keep records, certifications, registrations, etc. on site for 3 years.

For purchases over the amount of $300, seller must be paid by check, unless the cash transaction is documented by video, which must be kept for a minimum of 180 days.

Scrap recyclers must sign up with the scrap theft alert system maintained by the institute of scrap recycling industries, incorporated, or its successor organization, to receive alerts regarding thefts of commodity metals in the purchaser's geographic area.

· Download daily and maintain scrap metal theft alerts for a minimum of 90 days.

· Maintain a log that shows the manager has instructed employees on how to access and use the alerts.

Scrap recyclers must maintain a record of all purchases for a minimum of two years and is subject to inspection by any law enforcement at any time.

There is a 5-day tag-and-hold policy on all materials when notified by law enforcement to do so.

Be aware there is a Commodity Metals Theft Task Force lead by the Colorado Sherriff’s Department. The task force is specifically directed to consider: Possible policies or practices to aid in tracking or apprehending stolen commodity metals prior to the point of sale in order to assist law enforcement personnel in theft prevention and recovery of stolen materials; recommendations regarding when and how a commodity metals purchaser should be required to apprise local law enforcement authorities if a purchased commodity metal is a potential match of a commodity metal reported stolen in the scrap theft alert system; and the creation and attributes of a civil penalty process for egregious and repeat violators of the record-keeping requirements of this section.

Links to Other Important Information for Colorado Salvage/Recycling

Auto-Parts Salvage/Recycling