How Colorado reduced record-high auto thefts
From worst in the nation to sixth place
A few years ago, Colorado ranked as the worst state in the U.S. for per-capita auto thefts. Now, it’s only the sixth-worst, according to a new report from the Colorado State Patrol.
That’s still pretty bad, but it’s undoubtedly an improvement. And thefts are declining in Colorado faster than at the national level.
One major factor, according to the report, is increased public awareness. The worst-in-the-nation rankings in 2021 and 2022 made lots of headlines, and state authorities encouraged car owners to take preventative actions like installing anti-theft and private vehicle tracking technologies.
The public concern about car theft also pushed state lawmakers to provide a one-time injection of $5 million in 2023 for combating car theft in addition to passing laws that made the criminal penalties for car theft harsher.
The increased funding probably helped, but it’s doubtful the tougher penalties have worked, since research has shown that the certainty of getting caught has a far greater deterrent effect on crime than the severity of the potential punishment.
Another factor is collaboration between state and local officials enabled in part by a statewide stolen vehicle database, Cale Gould, the public outreach coordinator at the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority, told me.
“We know what’s going on, not just in Denver, not just in Aurora, but all agencies across the state have access to that intelligence coordination system,” Gould said.
Need to Know
🪫 Xcel and other power providers are facing criticism for “public safety power shut offs” that are meant to reduce wildfire risk. High winds, common in Colorado, can damage infrastructure and cause sparks that lead to wildfires. But frustrated customers say the company should spend more on weather resilience rather than cutting off power on windy days. (Denver Gazette)
🚙 Drivers, auto industry groups and some businesses are pushing back against Denver’s efforts to make the city more walkable, bike-able and mass transit-friendly. Cars remain the preferred mode of transport for those who can afford it, and widening sidewalks and adding bike and bus lanes can increase drive times and reduce parking availability. Notably, traffic deaths hit a record high last year while public transit use declined. (Denver Post)
🍽️ Denver is offering restaurants grants to help cover the costs of the city’s new sustainability requirements. Restaurants can get up to $1,000 for switching to reusable utensils and up to $3,600 toward compost hauling costs. The program has $51,000 in grants available. (Denver Post, Denver city website)
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Something Good
⚽ Denver’s new professional women’s soccer team, Summit FC, smashed the national league’s single-game attendance record in their home opener at Empower Field, with over 63,000 fans watching the team tie the Washington Spirit. The Summit also announced over the weekend that it had purchased land in Denver to build its own stadium, expected to be ready for the 2028 season. I’m stoked to see the enthusiasm for our newest pro sports team, and I can’t wait to attend a match.