Share this @internewscast.com

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — After several years of steep increases, car thefts have declined in Colorado, according to state crime data.

Thousands of Coloradans have been victims of car theft this year, from ordinary citizens to the mayor of Denver.

“Anybody is at risk at any time,” said Cale Gould with the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) in Lakewood, which tracks car thefts. “We’ve been on a gentle incline for at least five years.”

That “gentle incline” turned into a steep surge starting in 2020.

“There was a whole bunch of factors that played into that. Everything from the pandemic to civil unrest, economic downturn,” said Gould. “Those are all factors that played into it.”

Last year, more than 41,000 cars were stolen in Colorado, according to state crime data. More than 29,000 of those cars were successfully recovered.

Car theft numbers are falling this year. State crime data shows 27,645 cars have been stolen in Colorado this year as of Monday. Of those, 18,000 have been recovered.

“We started tracking this trend late 2022, where we saw these numbers plateauing and then starting to come down,” said Gould.

Colorado vehicles stolen and recovered in 2023

Colorado Uniform Crime Reporting Program

Colorado vehicles stolen and recovered in 2023.

Interim Aurora Police Chief Art Acevado said car thefts are down in his city. He credits the city council for getting tough on auto thieves.

“Consequences matter,” Acevado posted.

In 2022, Aurora City Council passed a measure requiring first-time auto theft offenders who are convicted in municipal court to serve a mandatory minimum of 60 days in jail. Repeat offenders must serve a minimum of 120 days.

“I can’t speak directly for Aurora,” said Gould. “I know there were councils, Aurora notably, who passed their own council measures, and some other councils around the metro area who were looking into similar measures.”

Gould said many factors likely contributed to the decline in auto thefts across the state, including state legislation passed this year which made all car thefts a felony, regardless of a vehicle’s age or value.

“That was significant,” said Gould.

The decline in auto thefts can be measured in communities across the state, including Aurora and Denver.

In Aurora, 4,809 cars have been reported stolen so far this year, compared to 6,927 in 2022, according to state crime data. Denver has recorded 10,594 cars stolen so far this year, compared to 15,274 last year.

It’s too early to tell if the trend will continue, but Gould urges car owners not to let their guard down. Car thefts are still significantly higher than they were in the years before 2020.

“That’s why it’s important to learn what factors make your vehicle at higher risk and how to prevent those,” said Gould.

He said simply locking your car and taking the keys can help, as well as keeping valuables out of sight.

“There’s no reason to incentivize a thief to steal your car,” said Gould.

He said a small investment in a steering wheel lock or tire boot can also help prevent car thefts. For more ways to prevent car theft, visit lockdownyourcar.org

Colorado car thefts are down after pandemic surge, state crime data shows


D7 follow up bar 2460x400FINAL.png

What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

City Representative Shocked by Man with a Shotgun: Police Report

Inset: Joey Alexander (KRON/YouTube). Background: The Main Branch of the San Francisco…

Officer Convicted for Girlfriend’s Death in Gun ‘Training’ Incident

Inset, left to right: Leslie Dale Boileau Jr. (Marion County Sheriff’s Office)…

D4VD Remains Quiet Amid Intensified Investigation into Celeste’s Murder

On the evening when the decomposed body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was…

Police History: 11 Visits to Celeste Rivas’ Home Before Her Tragic Death

Police were reportedly called to the home of Celeste Rivas, a California…

Police Report: Couple Accused of Abusing and Starving 4-Year-Old Who Passed Away

Background: The courthouse in Palmer County, Alaska (Google Maps). Insets (left to…

Man Reveals Location Where He and Army Friend Disposed of Dismembered Roommate: Police Report

Background: Rainor Joiner is seen in footage allegedly showing New Mexico officers…

“Alleged Stalker Teen Accused of Fatally Attacking Girl, Says Friend”

Insets, from left: Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas (GoFundMe). Background: The location…

Police Hunt Four Suspects Following Armed Home Invasion

Police are searching for four “aggressive, dangerous” men after a reported armed…

AI Won’t Replace Your Lawyer, But It Will Challenge Them to Improve

AI will not replace lawyers any more than calculators replaced accountants. Instead,…

Indiana Man Fatally Injures Girlfriend in Front of Young Daughter

An Indiana man is facing charges for shooting his girlfriend in the…

Teen Tragically Calls for ‘Mom’ During Fatal Kitchen Stabbing

A 16-year-old boy found dead on Monday was shot and stabbed by…

Police Report 14-Year-Old’s Plot for High School Attack

Kamiakan High School in Kennewick, Wash. (Google Maps). A 14-year-old boy from…