Castle Rock's Town Council has not yet voted on Ordinance 2026-033, a proposal that would require corporate entities to report theft of their property to law enforcement within 96 hours. The ordinance was scheduled for a first-reading vote on Sept. 15, 2026, but Council voted to continue it to a future meeting instead. It's now on the Town Council's agenda for Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.
What the Ordinance Would Do
Ordinance 2026-033 would add a new Section 9.09.050 to Title 9 of the Castle Rock Municipal Code, titled "Duty of a corporate entity to report theft." As drafted, it would make it unlawful for a corporate entity, acting through an employee or representative, to:
- Knowingly fail to report a theft of its property to law enforcement within 96 hours of having reasonable grounds to believe the theft occurred
- Fail to retain or hand over photographic or video evidence of a reported theft to law enforcement, or to conceal, alter, damage or destroy that evidence
- Retaliate against an employee for reporting a theft or for preserving or providing evidence to law enforcement
- Adopt a written policy that prohibits employees from reporting theft to law enforcement
The draft defines "reasonable grounds" as an honest belief supported by facts strong enough to warrant that belief in a cautious person, and "report" as informing the relevant law enforcement agency by whatever means it has set up for accepting crime reports.
Exceptions in the Draft
The ordinance lists several carve-outs. It would not apply if reporting requires violating another state or federal law, or if law enforcement or the Municipal Court finds a good-faith effort to comply was made. It does not require or authorize an employee to pursue, detain or confront a suspected criminal, does not require self-incrimination, and does not apply to an employee's observation of a crime believed committed by their own spouse. A corporate entity would also be exempt if it tells law enforcement within 96 hours that it's conducting its own good-faith investigation to gather information for a later report.
Why It's Before Council
The ordinance's own findings, drafted by the Town Attorney's Office, state that "certain retailers operating within the Town have policies prohibiting their employees from reporting theft to law enforcement," and that Council determined those policies affect the community's health, safety and welfare.
Where It Stands
At the Sept. 15, 2026 Town Council meeting, Councilmember Max Brooks moved, seconded by Councilmember Mark Davis, to continue Ordinance 2026-033 to a future meeting; the motion passed. The ordinance is now scheduled for a first reading before Town Council on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. A first reading would still need a second and final reading before it could take effect.
Oct. 6 is also the next date on Council's calendar for the pending kratom retail sales ban, a separate ordinance from the same Sept. 15 meeting.
Sources: Town of Castle Rock, Legistar record for ORD 2026-033 (matter status, history and agenda date); Ordinance No. 2026-033, first-reading draft, Town Attorney's Office. All checked Sept. 30, 2026.