What Scrap Metal Is Worth Money in Colorado in 2026

If you've got old appliances, copper pipe from a renovation, aluminum siding, or a pile of miscellaneous metal in the garage, there's a good chance some of it has real resale value at a scrap yard. The trick is knowing which metals are worth sorting, how to identify them, and what to expect in terms of payout. Here's a practical guide to scrap metal values in Colorado for 2026 — written for homeowners, not industry pros.

The Basics: Ferrous vs. Non-Ferrous

Before diving into prices, understand the two broad categories of scrap metal:

Ferrous metals contain iron. They're magnetic, which makes them easy to identify with a simple fridge magnet. Steel and cast iron fall into this category. They're accepted at most scrap yards but pay significantly less per pound than non-ferrous metals.

Non-ferrous metals — copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, and lead — don't contain iron and won't attract a magnet. These are the metals that generate meaningful payouts and are worth separating and cleaning before taking to a yard.

Which Metals Pay the Most in Colorado

Scrap prices fluctuate with global commodity markets, so treat these as approximate ranges rather than fixed quotes. Always call your local yard for today's rate before hauling anything in.

Copper — The Top Earner

Copper consistently commands the highest prices at Colorado scrap yards. Clean, uncoated "bare bright" copper wire — the kind typically found in electrical wiring stripped of insulation — earns the most. Copper pipe from plumbing, copper fittings, and copper from old appliances are all valuable.

The cleaner and purer the copper, the better the payout. Copper mixed with other materials (insulation, solder, iron) will be graded down. Strip wire where practical and keep copper separate from other metals.

Aluminum — Lightweight but Worth Sorting

Aluminum is everywhere: window frames, siding, patio furniture, storm doors, cans, and automotive parts. It pays less per pound than copper but is often available in larger quantities. Clean aluminum — free of paint, rubber, and attachments — earns more than "dirty" aluminum. Aluminum from old window frames and construction scrap is common in Colorado renovation projects.

Aluminum cans are accepted at scrap yards, though the payout per pound is modest. For meaningful returns, focus on clean extrusions, sheet aluminum, and auto parts.

Brass — Overlooked and Undervalued by Homeowners

Brass is common in plumbing fixtures, valves, faucets, door hardware, and musical instruments. It's a yellow-gold color and heavier than it looks. Brass pays well — typically in a range between aluminum and copper — and is worth pulling out of any renovation or estate cleanout.

Yellow brass and red brass (which has a higher copper content) are graded separately; red brass earns more.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel from appliances, commercial kitchen equipment, and sinks has scrap value, though less per pound than copper or brass. It's non-magnetic (or very weakly magnetic, depending on the grade). Old commercial appliances can hold meaningful weight in stainless.

Steel and Cast Iron — Lower Value, High Volume

Common steel — from old shelving, tools, bed frames, and rebar — pays at a much lower rate per pound but is accepted at virtually every yard. Cast iron from old radiators, engine blocks, and cookware also falls in this range. If you've got a large quantity, it adds up.

What NOT to Bring to a Scrap Yard

• Pressurized tanks (propane, oxygen) without certification of being empty and valve-removed
• Hazardous materials mixed with metal
• Appliances with refrigerant still inside (Freon must be removed first)
• Car batteries (some yards accept them, but rules vary)

Tips for Getting the Best Payout

• Separate metals before you go. Mixed loads get graded at the lowest value in the mix.
• Remove non-metal attachments. Rubber hoses, plastic fittings, and wood blocks reduce your grade.
• Call ahead. Some yards have weight minimums or specific hours for certain materials.
• Bring an ID. Colorado law requires scrap dealers to record seller information to help prevent metal theft.
• Know the weight. A bathroom scale gives you a rough idea before you make the trip.

Scrap Metal Pickup in the Denver Metro

If you have a load of scrap metal but don't have a truck to haul it, Go Green Scrap Pros picks up across the Denver metro area — Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Northglenn, Wheat Ridge, Golden, and beyond. High-value loads — commercial HVAC units, server racks, clean copper or brass batches — often qualify for free pickup. Everything else gets a flat dispatch fee based on distance, typically $35–$95.

For larger loads that include mixed junk alongside scrap metal, visit our scrap metal pickup page or pair it with a large appliance removal if you're clearing out old equipment.

Questions about whether what you've got is worth picking up? Call or text Adam at 720-675-7693 — a quick description is usually all it takes to get an answer.