At a Business Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners introduced a new ordinance focused on addressing retail theft in our community. Now, they’re asking for your feedback.
These low-level offenses are regularly linked to more serious incidents such as violent crimes, auto theft, and drug and firearm related activity. Recognizing that retail theft is a threat to public safety and the local economy, the Board has identified a system for encouraging businesses to promptly report theft to law enforcement.
Businesses will be expected to report theft to local law enforcement within 96 hours. Failure to do so will result in a $50 fine for every subsequent 24 hours, not to exceed $1,000.
The Douglas County Sheriff would enforce the ordinance, and violations may be prosecuted by the District Attorney or County Attorney.
The consequences of retail theft extend beyond public safety. Retail theft is increasingly undermining Colorado’s economic health. A recent analysis from the Colorado Common Sense Institute estimates that in 2022 alone, retail crime cost Colorado businesses $1.4 billion and deprived taxpayers of approximately $78 million in lost sales-tax revenue.
The CCSI report also found that retail theft rose by 22.4% between 2023 and 2024, with 27,094 shoplifting incidents reported statewide. That figure becomes even more concerning when paired with national data from the Loss Prevention Research Council, which estimates that nearly 89% of retail theft incidents are never reported.
Read the report: $1.3 Billion Gone: Retail Theft is Draining Colorado’s Economy
Businesses in Douglas County are expected to report retail theft in a timely manner.
Businesses are required to preserve and share any photo or video evidence related to a theft they report.
Employees should feel safe reporting theft and cooperating with law enforcement.
Businesses may not have policies that prevent employees from reporting theft.
This ordinance includes a few important exceptions:
