New cell phones bought from Denver-based wireless.

• Author: Taylor, Mike
• Position: Company puts old phones in good hands

Source come in a box that's prepaid for return shipping and a label with Wireless Source's Broadway address.

But the company isn't expecting a lot of returns.

It's trying to make it easy for customers to trade in old cell phones and, at the same time, help victims of domestic violence at SafeHouse Denver.

"We're taking phones that are lying idle and placing them in the hands of women in need of protection." says Darren Paulson, Wireless Source's chairman and president.

People upgrade their phones every nine to 13 months on average, and a lot of folks wonder what to do with these old phones."

The company launched its cell-phone recycling program in November, and Paulson hoped to get 50 phones the first month. He got about 100-so many that he is looking for other nonprofits that could use the free emergency service.

Before donating the phones, Wireless Source refurbishes them and pre-programs them for dialing 911. That's perfect for SafeHouse Denver, which operates a 30-bed shelter and...