Colorado Auto Theft Annual Report_2024_009001 (1)
Colorado State Patrol Releases Analytical Review of 2024 Auto Theft Data
(COLORADO)—While deep into 2025, the Colorado State Patrol’s Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center (ATICC) has dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s on its comprehensive review of Colorado’s auto theft in 2024. This extensive analytical product is the flagship report of this unit and represents the most critical criminal analysis of this expansive type of crime.
Summarizing the report into a few key findings:
- Colorado witnessed a substantial improvement in statewide reported stolen vehicles, registering a notable 25% decrease in reported stolen vehicles by volume in 2024, amounting to 8,401 fewer thefts, compared to reported vehicle thefts in 2023. This positive trend continues with the 21% decrease observed in 2023. Colorado experienced 24,575 reported stolen vehicles in 2024, averaging a per capita rate of 415 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents, compared to 32,976 reported stolen vehicles in 2023, averaging a per capita rate of 560 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. (SVDR, 2019-2024)
- The recovery rate for 2024 stands at 82%, marking the lowest point in the 5-year comparison. (ATICC, SVDR, 2019-2024) An estimated $353,241,050 ATL is related to the 24,575 reported stolen vehicles in 2024 versus the ATL for 2023 at $430,897,392 (32,976 thefts), reducing the ATL by $77,656,342. (ATICC, ATL Calculation, 2023)
- The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) published the “2024 Vehicle Theft Trend Report” on March 18, 2025, shedding light on Colorado’s motor vehicle theft rank per capita. In 2024, NICB ranked Colorado as the #4 spot for thefts per capita in the U.S.
- Aligning with previous reporting years, 2024 motor vehicle theft data demonstrates that an average of 63% of reported stolen vehicles are recovered outside the municipality where the motor vehicle theft occurred, indicating the crime of motor vehicle theft is a multijurisdictional criminal event. This is a 12% increase compared to the 2023 findings. (ATICC, SVDR, 2019-2024)
- In 2024, the Chevrolet Silverado (1071 thefts) and Hyundai Elantra (969 thefts) emerged as the highest volume of reported stolen vehicles. (ATICC, SVDR, 2019-2024)
- Hyundai and Kia manufactured vehicles collectively accounted for 19% of all reported stolen vehicles in the state, totaling 4,560 out of the 24,575 vehicles stolen in 2024 versus Hyundai and Kia manufacturers offered a free anti-theft software update for certain models in February 2023 that appear to support the downward trajectory of Hyundai and Kia thefts statewide. (ATICC, SVDR, 2019- 2024)
- Insights from Colorado Courts data for 2024 reveal that 77% of filed motor vehicle theft cases also involved additional criminal charges related to the motor vehicle theft incident. (Colorado Courts,2020-2024)
- The 2024 Colorado Courts data indicate that 13% of auto theft cases filed carried additional charges associated with violent crime.
This means that a lot of the great things that your local law enforcement, local government, the State government, and every vehicle owner in Colorado are doing – are working. Auto theft continues to fall dramatically. This does not mean you can take a break or relax your vehicle security habits. While the Colorado State Patrol works daily to reduce motor vehicle theft, we need to leverage our largest stakeholder to guarantee success for every single vehicle operator further. Continue to lock your car and take your keys every time. Then, know when and how to do more by visiting lockdownyourcar.org, where you can find a full list of best vehicle security habits, tools for additional security, and even a resource list of where to find a free steering wheel lock!
Our mission is to make Colorado safer, and every locked car goes a long way to achieving this; through our partnerships, we can eliminate auto theft; thank you for continuing to be an active participant in your vehicle safety.