BOULDER, Colo. -- Richard Freeman said he made an astonishing discovery Friday.

Freeman said he purchased some auction items from Anderson Kia's going out of business sale and made a stop at the dealer's trash bins to throw away some trash before loading them into his vehicle.

"When I opened up the Dumpster, I noticed it was plum full of files," said Freeman.

Freeman said there were 10 trash containers in total brimming with sensitive customer information. There were copies of driver's licenses, checks, Social Security numbers and bank information.

"I was astonished, simply astonished. It just disgusts you," said Freeman.

Freeman said even more alarming was the possibility some of the information was his.

"I have done business here," said Freeman.

Curiously many of the files belong to John Elway's AutoNation. The dealership shut its doors in 2005.

"I am surprised that my information was there because I spend so much time on incoming mail, destroying that information," said Donald Biehl, a former customer. "They must have hired someone to clean the place out because I dealt with John Elway Ford in 2003."

7NEWS attempted to contact the last listed owner of the building but they did not return our calls. We called police and asked they secure the information so it wouldn't sit outside unprotected.

The Boulder Police Department went out and bought chains and locks and secured the files until the owner can be reached. They said they would then ask the owners to shred the documents.

Freeman said he felt better knowing the information was now secure but said he worries this is happening at other dealers across the country who are being forced to close their doors.

In 2004 the Colorado Legislature passed a bill that said people or companies should properly dispose of such sensitive information. However not disposing of personal information properly is not a criminal offense.

The Boulder Police Department said the District Attorney's office will be responsible for determining if any charges will be filed.