CO SB176

Creates new crime of "ownership or operation of a chop shop" (Class 4 felony) defined as knowingly owning, operating, or conspiring to operate a facility where stolen vehicles or major vehicle parts are disassembled, altered, or stored for sale or disposal.

Establishes Class 5 felony for transporting unlawfully obtained vehicles or major component parts to/from a chop shop, or buying/selling such items with a chop shop knowing it is a chop shop.

Creates Class 5 felony for altering or removing vehicle identification numbers, manufacturer numbers, or engine numbers with intent to misrepresent identity or prevent identification of a motor vehicle or part.

Defines "chop shop" as any facility where one unlawfully obtained vehicle part is altered to conceal identity, two or more stolen vehicles are present for alteration/sale, or six or more stolen major component parts from multiple vehicles are present.

Appropriates $21,484 for fiscal year 2015-16, $42,968 for 2016-17, $64,452 for 2017-18, and $82,534 for 2018-19 from the general fund to implement the bill; appropriation expires July 1, 2019.