Colorado Sees Major Drop in Vehicle Thefts as National Decline Continues
Vehicle thefts in Colorado plummeted 31% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, contributing to a nationwide 23% decline in auto theft, according to new data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
The state's dramatic improvement places Colorado fifth nationally for vehicle theft rates, with 149.04 thefts per 100,000 residents during the first six months of 2025. While still above the national average of 97.33 per 100,000 residents, the decline represents significant progress for a state that has struggled with elevated theft rates in recent years.
Colorado's improvement stems from coordinated efforts between state agencies, local law enforcement, and insurance partners through the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority, a state-funded program that allocates grants to regional multi-agency task forces. In Northern Colorado, the CATPA team brings together law enforcement from Larimer and Weld counties for joint investigations and intelligence sharing.
The decline follows years of pandemic-fueled increases that peaked in 2023, when Colorado recorded 583 thefts per 100,000 residents. Data from the Colorado Auto Theft Authority shows the state's theft rate had surged from 221 per 100,000 in 2019 to historic highs before the recent improvement.
Weld County has seen particular success in combating organized theft rings, with the District Attorney's office securing Grand Jury indictments under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act. Greeley, the county's largest city, previously recorded theft rates of about 589 per 100,000 residents in 2022, substantially above neighboring Larimer County communities like Fort Collins and Loveland.
Regional law enforcement agencies have deployed enhanced strategies including increased use of License Plate Reader technology for rapid identification of stolen vehicles and coordinated operations through task forces like BATTLE North, which pools resources across municipal police, sheriff's offices, and state patrol.
Nationally, vehicle thefts dropped to 334,114 reported incidents in the first half of 2025, with monthly totals remaining consistently lower than any month in 2024. The National Insurance Crime Bureau attributed the decline to collaborative efforts between law enforcement, automakers, insurers, and crime prevention organizations.
"The significant declines we are seeing in 2025 demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts by law enforcement, automakers, insurers, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau," said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of NICB.
Despite nationwide progress, Washington D.C. maintains the highest theft rate at approximately 373 thefts per 100,000 residents, nearly four times the national average. Alaska was the only state to report increased thefts, with a 26% rise driven primarily by trends in the Anchorage metropolitan area.
The most frequently stolen vehicles remain consistent with recent patterns, led by Hyundai Elantra with 11,329 thefts, followed by Hyundai Sonata and Honda Accord. Popular pickup trucks including Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F150 also ranked among the top targets.
Colorado's elevated theft rates continue to impact insurance premiums for residents, particularly in high-risk counties where comprehensive coverage costs remain above average. Some insurers require additional anti-theft measures or impose higher deductibles in response to regional theft risks.
Local prevention efforts include the statewide "Lock Down Your Car" campaign, which provides steering wheel locks, anti-theft education, and vehicle etching events in partnership with Northern Colorado law enforcement agencies. The Colorado Auto Theft Authority reports that 86% of stolen vehicles were recovered in 2023, well above the national average of 56%.
Residents can help prevent theft by parking in well-lit areas, locking doors, never leaving vehicles running unattended, and considering anti-theft technology such as steering wheel locks or GPS tracking devices. Anyone with information about vehicle theft can report it by calling 800-835-6422 or submitting information through the National Insurance Crime Bureau website.