DENVER — More than 32,000 vehicles so far have been reported stolen last year in Colorado, which is a significant decrease from 2022, according to data provided by the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority - Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force (C-MATT).
Cmdr. John Pickard with C-MATT said that data for 2023 is still being calculated as auto theft reports come in after the start of the new year, which means the numbers will change slightly. So far, auto thefts statewide are down about 20%. As of Jan. 3, there have been 32,750 auto thefts reported in 2023, compared with 41,063 in 2022.
“I think it's wonderful,” Pickard said. “It's been a long time coming. It's been several years since we've had that drastic of a downturn in auto theft."
Auto thefts from Denver International Airport were down more than 70% in the last two months of 2023, Pickard said. He attributed some of the decrease to the arrests of car theft suspects. DIA has also added security cameras in the economy and Pikes Peak lots.
Passenger cars (10,367) and SUVs (9,817) were the types of vehicles most stolen last year, followed by pickup trucks (6,562) and motorcycles (1,763).
Below are the top 10 makes and models of vehicles stolen in Colorado in 2023, according to C-MATT:
- Hyundai Elantra (1,324)
- Chevrolet Silverado (1,281)
- Hyundai Sonata (1,035)
- Ford F-150 (1,013)
- Kia Sportage (974)
- Ford F-250 (808)
- Kia Optima (783)
- Hyundai Tucson (750)
- Honda Civic (685)
- Kia Soul (648)
Denver was the city with the most reported auto thefts, but it also had the most recoveries. The top 5 cities for thefts and recoveries in the state last year were:
- Denver: 10,942 thefts and 9,444 recoveries
- Aurora: 4,722 thefts and 4,369 recoveries
- Colorado Springs: 3,247 thefts and 2,701 recoveries
- Pueblo: 1,542 thefts and 1,438 recoveries
- Lakewood: 1,169 thefts and 1,142 recoveries
C-MATT said the highest risk for having your vehicle stolen is to leave the vehicle unlocked or to leave the keys in the vehicle. Tips to protect your vehicle from theft include never leaving your car running unattended, always keeping car doors locked when driving or parked, and always parking in a well-lit area.
"If you just locked your car and kept your keys out of the car and didn't run it unattended, then that's a chunk of stolen cars right there that wouldn't be taken," Pickard said.
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