DENVER (KDVR) — Auto theft is down in Colorado for the third year in a row, but state officials still encourage drivers to be cautious to help those numbers continue to go down. Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority released data for auto theft across the state on Friday, showing a significant decline in 2025. This past year had 34% less auto theft cases compared to 2024, which is the most drastic percentage reduction the state has seen in a year, according to CSP. The numbers are trending in a positive direction. CSP said that auto theft is down 61% across the state in comparison to 2022, when the state saw a record number of auto thefts, the worst rate per capita of any state. The number of car thefts doubled from 2019 to 2022, and the state’s auto theft rate climbed the fastest in the nation from 2011 to 2020. “These reductions ensure less financial harm to individuals, safer roads to travel on, and safer communities for all of us to enjoy. Reducing auto theft is a key strategy in our efforts to make Colorado a safer place overall,” CSP said in a press release. Numbers are down across the state, but more so in some areas than others. Table Cities with the highest auto theft rates in 2025: Denver Aurora Colorado Springs Pueblo Lakewood Westminster Thornton Commerce City Greeley Littleton Theft rates also varied by vehicle make and model, with some more vulnerable to theft than others. Colorado’s most stolen vehicles in 2025: Chevrolet Silverado Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Sonata Ford F-150 GMC Sierra Ford F-250 Jeep Cherokee Honda Civic Kia Optima Honda Accord CSP said the data comes from the Stolen Vehicle Data Repository, which compiles stolen vehicle reports from law enforcement for the Colorado Crime Information Center. The following CATPA map shows where auto theft hot spots are across the state. Map shows the auto theft hot spots across Colorado. Decrease in theft does not mean drivers should be less cautious While theft is down significantly, CSP is still warning Colorado drivers and vehicle owners to be diligent in their efforts to prevent their vehicles from being stolen by locking their car and taking their keys every time they are away from their car. “We know drivers have been doing more than this to prevent vehicle theft, and there has never been a better time to continue going the extra mile to take these preventative steps,” CSP chief Col. Matthew C. Packard said. “From steering wheel locks to GPS trackers and kill switches, everything you do makes a substantial impact on preventing auto theft in 2026 and beyond.” CATPA says that compromising basic security routines like locking the vehicle and taking the key creates the highest risk for having your vehicle stolen. Never leave your car running unattended Don’t keep spare keys in the car Keep car doors locked when driving or parked Park in well-lit areas Don’t store firearms in your vehicle Keep valuables hidden from view Don’t roll down windows or open a door if approached Check VIN numbers to ensure a used vehicle is not stolen before buying Avoid leaving documents with your address in the glove box Keep half of the registration slip without your address in your car Get insurance that covers stolen vehicles and consider gap insurance Make sure the vehicle has really been stolen Call police ASAP Report your vehicle as stolen to insurance Make a list of all stolen property and personal effects in the car Use social media Cancel credit cards and ID cards Consider changing locks Contact your local victims advocate Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.