| In 2011, a total of 9,311 motor vehicle thefts were reported by law enforcement agencies in Colorado according to the Colorado Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center. This is a 63% decrease in motor vehicle thefts from 2005. |
 |
 |
Using the FBI's average valuation of $6,152 per stolen vehicle, this amounts to an estimated $57.3 million in losses during 2011.
Of all Colorado's stolen vehicles, a majority were passenger cars (47%), followed by SUV's (18%), pickups (13%), motorcycles (10%), trailers (7%) and other vehicle styles.
Most auto thefts occurred in the Denver Metropolitan Area (70%), followed by the South Central Area (18%), Western Area (6%), North Central Area (5%) and Eastern Area (1%).
According to the FBI, there were an estimated 737,142 thefts of motor vehicles nationwide in 2010. The estimated number of motor vehicle thefts declined 7.4 percent when compared with data from 2009, 38.5 percent when compared with 2006 figures, and 40.0 percent when compared with 2001 figures. More than $4.5 billion was lost nationwide to motor vehicle thefts in 2010. The average dollar loss per stolen vehicle was $6,152. Nearly 73 percent (72.9) of all motor vehicles reported stolen in 2010 were automobiles.
Colorado's Top Ten Stolen Vehicles in 2010 (NICB)
- 1996 Honda Accord
- 2000 Honda Civic
- 1995 Acura Integra
- 2001 Dodge Ram
- 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 1990 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
- 1998 Jeep Cherokee
- 2004 Ford F150 Series/Pickup
- 1989 Toyota Camry
- 2002 Ford Explorer
Each year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) studies Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), or major metropolitan areas to compare the number of vehicle thefts per 100,000 people.
Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA) |
2010 Rank,
out of
366
MSAs |
2010
Auto
Theft
Rate
per
100,000 people |
2009
Auto
Theft
Rate
per
100,000 people |
| Pueblo |
58 |
319.37 |
242.33 |
| Denver-Aurora-Broomfield |
68 |
301.48 |
329.40 |
| Colorado
Springs |
97 |
243.8 |
213.98 |
| Greeley |
226 |
137.64 |
168.79 |
| Grand Junction |
264 |
111.09 |
173.86 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland |
275 |
106.13 |
127.35 |
| Boulder |
286 |
100.15 |
96.88 |
Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority
Efforts to combat auto theft play a major role in reducing the number of stolen vehicles. The Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) awards state grants that fund law enforcement, prosecution, training and public awareness activities targeting auto theft. Click here for more information about the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority.
Coloradans Against Auto Theft
Together with law enforcement agencies, insurance companies and community partners, the newly formed Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT) coalition is working to put the brakes on auto theft. CAAT has launched "Lockdown," a statewide auto theft prevention initiative to educate the public on what they can do to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of auto theft. Logon to CAAT's auto theft prevention website: www.lockdownyourcar.org, for current auto theft trends, victim support, testimonials and current coalition efforts to prevent auto theft in Colorado. |
