Boulder scrap is rentals, alleys, and the occasional authorized cleanout
Boulder’s rental calendar dumps appliances and frames every year, often into alleys that were not designed for a large truck. Older houses in the same grid hide copper and brass behind plaster. Parking permits and alley widths decide the pickup more than the commodity price does.
Campus and lab surplus is a separate, documented process. If you cannot say who authorized the material to leave, do not send it. Household coins and jewelry go to the gold page. They are common in a university town and easy to lose in a scrap description.
Local prices vary by yard. Send a photo for a quote. We do not publish a Boulder scale sheet.
Denver Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
Contractor scrap form · Gold and silver · Cash for cars
Boulder scrap metal: sort by material before asking for a quote
A magnet is a useful first check, not a final grade. If it sticks, the item is likely ferrous, such as steel or iron. If it does not, it may be copper, brass, aluminum, or another material. Some stainless steel is weakly magnetic or not magnetic, and coatings can confuse the result. Keep uncertain pieces separate and describe them rather than guessing at a grade.
Copper condition affects how a yard classifies it. Clean, uncoated copper wire with no insulation may qualify as bare bright; clean copper tubing is commonly sorted as #1, while solder, paint, heavy oxidation, or other attachments can move material into a lower grade such as #2. Insulated wire is graded separately because the insulation has to be accounted for. A photo helps show the condition, but the yard makes the final grade decision.
Brass fittings and aluminum parts are worth separating from steel when you can identify them. Mixed attachments, screws, solder, plastic, and dirt can make a load less clean and may change how it is sorted. Stripping insulated wire can improve its classification, but it takes time and creates sharp waste. Ask a partner yard whether stripping is worthwhile for the amount and type of wire you have.
Boulder pickups: prepare appliances and metal safely
Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and some other appliances contain refrigerant. Do not cut lines, puncture a unit, or try to release the refrigerant yourself. Proper evacuation is required before the equipment is processed. Tell the yard what appliance you have and ask what condition it must be in; acceptance and handling arrangements can differ by yard.
Before a pickup, make a clear path to the material and point out stairs, tight turns, low clearance, or items that cannot be moved. Keep the load accessible without blocking a shared route. Separate metal from household trash, liquids, and loose debris, and do not place sharp or unstable pieces where someone could be cut or struck while carrying them.
Front Range Quotes connects sellers with independent partner yards; it does not buy scrap. Send clear photos and a short description, including whether the metal is mixed, attached to other material, or difficult to access. Confirm the pickup details directly with the yard. The partner yard handles the scale ticket, payment, and any identification steps, so ask it what to bring before the material is loaded.
Questions
Can a magnet tell me the exact value or grade of a metal?
No. A magnet can help separate likely ferrous material from non-ferrous material, but it does not identify the exact alloy, cleanliness, or yard grade. Keep uncertain items apart and send photos or ask the partner yard how it wants them sorted. The yard determines the final classification when it inspects the material.
Should I remove insulation from copper wire before pickup?
Not automatically. Stripping takes labor, can leave sharp offcuts, and may not be worthwhile for a small amount of wire. Insulated wire and clean bare copper are classified differently. Ask the partner yard how it handles your wire type and whether preparing it further makes sense before spending time on it.
What should I do with a refrigerator or air conditioner?
Do not cut refrigerant lines or dismantle the sealed system. Tell the yard the appliance type and whether it is intact, and ask about its acceptance and preparation requirements. Refrigerant must be properly evacuated before processing. Do not assume an appliance can be placed with ordinary scrap just because its outer case is metal.
Do I need a title to scrap a catalytic converter or junk car?
Requirements depend on the item and the yard. Contact the partner yard before removing or transporting a catalytic converter, and ask what proof of ownership and identification it requires. For a junk car, ask about title and paperwork requirements before scheduling. Do not assume a loose part and a complete vehicle follow the same process.
What happens to my material after I request a quote?
Front Range Quotes connects you with independent partner yards and does not purchase the material. Share photos and details, then confirm acceptance, access, and pickup terms with the yard. The partner yard handles weighing, the scale ticket, payment, and identification steps. Ask it about paperwork and bring what it requests.