Castle Rock advances retail theft reporting rule on 4–3 vote
The proposal would require businesses to report thefts totaling at least $2,000 and bar retaliation against employees who report them; council members questioned how the Town would enforce both provisions.
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Castle Rock Town Council voted 4–3 on Oct. 20 to advance an ordinance requiring businesses to report qualifying thefts to law enforcement within 96 hours. Members questioned how the Town would enforce the rule and its employee-retaliation ban. A second reading is scheduled for Nov. 17, and the council has not yet taken a final vote, the council’s action record shows.
Under the proposed ordinance, a corporate entity would have to report thefts of its property totaling at least $2,000. The 96-hour period would begin when an employee or representative becomes aware of reasonable grounds to believe a theft occurred, not necessarily when it happened. Reports could be made through any method accepted by the law-enforcement agency with jurisdiction.
The draft also requires covered businesses to preserve and provide related photographic or video evidence. It would prohibit retaliation against employees for reporting theft or preserving or providing evidence, and bar written policies that prohibit employees from reporting theft. Employees would not be required to confront or detain suspected offenders. A business could contact law enforcement within 96 hours to say it is conducting a good-faith investigation to gather information for a later report.
Enforcement was a central concern in the council discussion. Town staff said it could be difficult for the Town to learn of unreported thefts, particularly after 96 hours or if video evidence was no longer available. Staff also said violations would have to be investigated and proved in Municipal Court. Under the Town’s general penalty, staff said, a judge could impose a fine of up to $2,650 after a hearing; the draft does not set a separate fine. Council members discussed reducing or removing penalties, but did not adopt a change at first reading.
Mayor Jason Gray and other council members also raised concerns that the retaliation provision could draw the Town into disputes between employers and employees. Members discussed removing it, but made no change to the proposal at first reading.
The council requested a review in June 2027 that would include the number of theft reports made, so members could assess how the ordinance is working. The Nov. 17 second reading is the next scheduled step; the Oct. 20 vote advanced the proposal but did not enact it.