For a chunk of southeast Denver, the dial tone simply vanished this month after thieves went after specialized copper cabling and other key hardware, knocking out landline service for residents and small businesses alike. Bonnie Brae Flowers on Evans Avenue took one of the hardest hits: owner Bell Mendenhall said the shop's landline was out for more than 10 days, costing the business several thousand dollars in lost orders while customers scrambled to reach staff on cell phones or update contact numbers online.
CenturyLink Blames Copper Theft
In a statement to CBS News Colorado, CenturyLink said thieves stole specialized copper cabling essential for landline service and warned the crime "is endangering public safety" by disrupting 911 access and phone lines for hospitals, fire stations, and businesses. Mendenhall told the outlet the shop's phones were out for more than 10 days and that she now plans to switch providers after losing several thousand dollars in orders. The company said it is deploying covert surveillance and GPS alarms in high-risk areas, increasing security at key facilities, and working with law enforcement while engineering crews replace stolen parts.
City Tightens Scrap-Metal Rules
City leaders have been trying to shrink the market for stolen metal. The Denver City Council tightened scrap-metal regulations last year, including limits on cash payments and new record-keeping requirements after police logged more than 2,100 scrap-metal thefts since 2018, according to Colorado Politics. Supporters say the tougher rules make it harder for thieves to quickly fence copper and other high-value materials, while critics argue the changes may hit unbanked sellers who depend on cash.
Transit And Public-Safety Risks
The same type of theft has also been plaguing public transit. RTD reported multiple recent incidents in which copper-wire theft forced service changes and caused significant damage, and the agency is testing ways to embed and track wire to discourage thieves, Denver7 reports. Transit officials warn that tampering with signals and trackside equipment is dangerous and are asking riders and neighbors to report any suspicious activity around tracks and utility boxes.
What Customers Can Do
CenturyLink lists instructions for requesting bill credits and signing up for notifications while crews replace stolen cable and secure affected sites. For small businesses still stuck without dependable landline service, the outage is already forcing changes, from prominently listing mobile contact numbers to shifting to alternate providers, and anyone who spots suspicious activity near telecom vaults or poles is urged to contact local police so investigators can follow up.
