Recent Colorado State Patrol data shows auto theft is declining statewide, but Pueblo seems to be bucking the trend, according to data from local law enforcement.
Auto thefts decreased about 22% across Colorado from January through April this year compared to 2022, according to Colorado State Patrol, with 10% reduction in southern Colorado.
In Pueblo, however, auto thefts reported from Jan. 1 to April 30 have more than doubled since 2019, according to five years of data obtained from the Pueblo Police Department.
From the period between Jan. 1 and April 30, Pueblo PD reported 216 stolen vehicles in 2019, 256 in 2020, 340 in 2021, 449 in 2022, and 468 in 2023.
Outside of the city, the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office's numbers more closely resemble the downward statewide trend: The county saw a three-year low in auto thefts over that four-month period this year with 50 recorded thefts, compared to 75 in 2022 and 64 in 2021.
How Pueblo police are addressing the problem
Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller told the Chieftain police are combatting auto theft in several ways.
"While it has been reported that there is an overall decrease in auto thefts statewide, there are still cities, including Pueblo, where auto theft reports have not decreased yet," Noeller told the Chieftain in an email.
"Because we recognize auto thefts are a concerning issue, we have taken several steps to reduce the number of stolen vehicles here in Pueblo. We apply for and receive grant funding to combat auto thefts, but we don’t stop there. We work closely with the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA), along with our neighboring law enforcement agencies, including the Colorado State Patrol, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, Fountain Police Department, and Canon City Police Department to combat this issue," Noeller said.
"Additionally, our Community Services Division posts public safety announcements on our social media platforms to inform citizens on how to help prevent becoming a victim of auto theft. Public Safety announcements have also been posted informing owners of certain makes and models of vehicles to contact dealerships for software updates that will make stealing these particular vehicles more difficult."
Change in Colorado law could help address thefts
Noeller also praised new legislation that he believes will help Pueblo police and other law enforcement agencies statewide to curb auto theft.
The legislation, which goes into effect July 1, will make all auto thefts a felony.
"Under the current law (Colorado Revised Statute 18-4-409) the value of the vehicle determines the class of crime, which means many times it is a misdemeanor charge," Noeller said.
The current language of state statute defining auto theft requires that an individual "knowingly obtains or exercises control over the motor vehicle of another without authorization or by threat or deception," and Noeller said the new legislation changes that standard from "knowingly" to "knew or reasonably should have known."
"These changes are beneficial to law enforcement," Noeller said, "because it reduces probable cause required to charge someone with auto theft."
More on auto theft in Pueblo: Kia and Hyundai thefts are skyrocketing in Pueblo. Here's what to know
How to prevent your vehicle from being stolen
Colorado State Patrol and CATPA say the best way to combat vehicle theft is through a dynamic approach to vehicle security, beginning with the basics.
"Lock your car and take your keys — every time," CSP said in a news release. "This is simple, but vehicle owners and operators should practice this most basic vehicle security habitually."
CATPA also advises additional security measures for people who own any vehicle on the state's top-10 stolen car list, or any vehicle in an Auto Theft Hot Spot, most of which are major metro areas such as Denver, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. They also suggest additional precautions for owners of any vehicle more than five years old.
Those additional measures, according to CSP, include:
- Any combination of basic 'Lock and Key' routine and environmental changes, such as parking the vulnerable vehicle in a garage or secured parking lot if possible
- Physical security hardening products like steering wheel locks and parking boots
- Theft deterrent and immobilizing systems like kill switches, alarm systems and security systems that adhere to vehicle immobilizing standards, like the Canadian UL 338 standard.
Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1.
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Auto thefts falling throughout Colorado, but continue to rise in Pueblo - Pueblo Chieftain
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