Senate panel advances bill to curb theft of telecommunications equipment; moves HB 11‑01 to Committee of the Whole

The Senate Judiciary Committee on April 1 advanced House Bill 11‑01, a measure sponsors said would protect critical communications infrastructure by expanding Colorado’s metal‑dealer laws to cover wireless and telecommunications equipment.

Senator Pelton, a sponsor, told the committee the bill is aimed at “protecting critical communication infrastructure against vandalism” and said industry investment in wireless upgrades is threatened by theft and vandalism. She and sponsor Senator Linstead introduced the measure as the only bill on the committee’s agenda that day.

The bill’s supporters described a mix of public‑safety and fiscal harms from theft of copper wire, batteries and other components. Larry Hudson, testifying for CTIA, the wireless industry association, said the measure is about maintaining connectivity and public‑safety services such as 911 and telehealth. “This bill is at its core about connectivity, being able to ensure timely 911 calls, telehealth appointments, and family‑based” communications, Hudson said, and cited CTIA data that the industry recorded roughly 16,000 incidents of this type nationwide in 2024–25.

Bob Pfeiffer, deputy director of operations at the Colorado Department of Transportation, told the committee that theft and vandalism of metal components has degraded traffic‑safety infrastructure and drained maintenance funds. “Over the last four years, CDOT has been forced to spend over $2,000,000 on repair just for a four‑mile stretch of I‑70 between Sheridan and Pecos,” Pfeiffer said, adding that removed wiring and fiber compromise traffic signals, safety cameras and highway lighting and create “dark zones” that increase crash risk and hinder emergency response.

Senator Lisonbee, speaking in support, said the bill strikes a balance by protecting dealers who lawfully accept mixed loads while creating penalties for dealers that knowingly purchase stolen materials. She noted the bill passed the House nearly unanimously.

There were two witnesses in support on the record; committee members asked no follow‑up questions during the session. Mr. Wester, who moved the measure, said the bill also grew from recommendations of a prior interim committee on cell‑phone connectivity and thanked the bill’s House sponsors, Representatives Soper and Espinosa, for their work.

The committee voted by roll call to move HB 11‑01 to the Committee of the Whole. Senators Carson, Doherty, Henriksen, Wallace, Roberts and the Chair voted yes; Senator Samora Wilson voted no. The motion passed 6–1.

The bill will next be considered by the Committee of the Whole. The Judiciary Committee adjourned at 1:46 p.m.; the chair said the committee expects a lighter agenda next week and plans a longer meeting on Monday the 13th to take up the budget.