Colorado Auto Thefts Plummet 56% Since 2021

State reports 34% decline in 2025, exceeding reduction targets

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:11pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a car key fob against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the need for increased security measures to combat auto theft.A crackdown on auto theft in Colorado has led to a dramatic 56% decline since 2021, though vigilance is still required to protect vehicles and communities.Denver Today

Colorado has seen a dramatic decline in auto thefts, with a 56% drop since 2021 and a 34% decrease in 2025 alone, according to the state's latest Auto Theft Annual Report. The state reported 16,291 motor vehicle thefts in 2025, with 80% of stolen vehicles recovered that same year. Governor Jared Polis credited data-driven investments to support law enforcement and crime prevention efforts for the significant improvements.

Why it matters

Colorado once ranked as the worst state for motor vehicle thefts per capita, but the state's concerted efforts to combat auto theft have paid off with a major turnaround. The reduction in auto thefts not only improves public safety but also saves residents millions in financial losses.

The details

The 2025 Colorado Auto Theft Annual Report showed a 34% decline in motor vehicle thefts compared to the previous year, with 16,291 reported thefts. Nationally, vehicle thefts fell 23% in 2025. Of the reported thefts in Colorado, 80% were recovered that same year, totaling 14,452 recoveries. The approximate average total loss from the thefts came to $257 million. SUVs and Hyundai/Kia models were the most commonly stolen vehicle types.

  • Colorado once ranked as the worst state for motor vehicle thefts per capita in 2021.
  • The state reported 16,291 motor vehicle thefts in 2025, a 34% decline from the previous year.
  • Preliminary statistics through February 2026 show the state exceeded its 35% reduction target for the July 2025 through June 2026 period.

The players

Jared Polis

The Governor of Colorado, who credited data-driven investments to support law enforcement and crime prevention efforts for the significant improvements in auto theft reduction.

Matt Packard

The Colonel and Chief of the Colorado State Patrol, who stated that drivers must do more to protect their vehicles and communities by locking cars and taking keys as a bare minimum.

Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center (ATICC)

The organization that released the 2025 Colorado Auto Theft Annual Report, which provided the data and statistics on the state's auto theft trends.

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What they’re saying

“This data shows what we are doing is working, and we are not stopping here. I'm thrilled that in 2025 auto theft has plummeted, decreasing by 34%, representing a 56% decrease since 2021.”

— Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado

“Many of these key findings represent excellent progress in the fight against the crime of auto theft.”

— Matt Packard, Colonel and Chief of the Colorado State Patrol

What’s next

Preliminary statistics through February 2026 show the state exceeded its 35% reduction target for the July 2025 through June 2026 period, indicating that Colorado will continue to build on its progress in combating auto theft.

The takeaway

Colorado's concerted efforts to combat auto theft, including data-driven investments in law enforcement and crime prevention, have led to a remarkable turnaround, with the state no longer ranking as the worst in the nation for motor vehicle thefts per capita. This success story demonstrates the impact of targeted, evidence-based strategies in addressing complex public safety challenges.