By Shannon Lukens.
The Chevy Silverado is still the most stolen vehicle in Colorado. The 2006 version is also the most popular year of Silverado stolen.
Hyundai Elantra and Sonata round out the top three. Chevy Sierra is number four, followed by Ford Trucks, with the F-250 the most stolen followed by the F-150.
The statistics were released by the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) and Colorado State Patrol.
The press release says many times when the vehicles are stolen in the Denver Metro area, they are used to commit other crimes across the Front Range.
Lock your car and take your keys, Park in a secure parking lot. Don’t leave anything unsecured where a thief can see it and break in to get it. Also use a steering wheel lock, or get a GPS tag for your vehicle.
More tips are at LockDownYourCar.org
Here’s more information in a press release from Colorado State Patrol and CATPA (Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority); June 19, 2025.
Hyundai and Kia Thefts Remain a Significant Portion of All Auto Thefts in Colorado
(COLORADO)—The Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) wants to provide information and resources to help owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles ward off would-be car thieves. Vehicles using a physical key for operation continue to be largely targeted by car thieves across the Denver Metro area. These stolen cars are then used to commit other crimes across the Front Range. From dangerous driving to business burglaries and beyond, preventing auto theft saves more than just a car; it makes our entire State safer.
The CATPA-Metropolitan Auto Theft Taskforce (C-MATT) continues to combat and investigate the thefts of Hyundai’s and Kia’s in relation to organized crime in Colorado. This multi-agency task force is a grant program of the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority, whose mission is to investigate patterned crime related to auto theft, specifically those crimes that involve the deliberate criminal enterprise of stolen motor vehicles. CMATT and CATPA continue to ask owners of all vehicles to stop and think when parking their vehicles. Take action to prevent auto theft, safeguard your vehicle, and avoid subsequent crimes in Colorado.
All vehicles in Colorado can benefit from following these theft prevention steps, but these are a must for Hyundai and Kia owners. Hyundai and Kia represent nearly one out of every five stolen cars in Colorado year to date. While auto theft continues declining in the Denver Metro and across the State, owning a vehicle in the “Top Ten Most Stolen Cars” puts your car at greater risk for being targeted by thieves. CATPA and CMATT ask you always:
1. Lock Your Car
2. Take Your Keys out of the Car (Never leave a car running unattended)
3. Park Smart (Park in a garage or a secure parking lot, or when out and about, park in an area under constant supervision. Well-lit is great, but parking under a light isn’t everything. Make sure your car is visible.)
4. Keep a Clean Car. Thieves hate clean cars; anything left unsecured in a vehicle incentivizes a thief to target your car instead of a clean one.
5. If you own a Hyundai or Kia, check with your local manufacturer service center to determine if your vehicle qualifies for a security software update.
6. Do. More. Take extra steps to stop auto theft. If you own a key Hyundai, Kia, or any vehicle in Colorado’s “Top Ten List,” you must do more to prevent theft.
a. Use a steering wheel lock (Available from many local Police Departments and your
Colorado State Patrol Headquarters location in Lakewood).
b. To benefit the most from this technology, use a GPS tag and enroll in programs like
Denver Track or Metro Track.
c. c. Use physical vehicle theft prevention devices, such as parking boots, gear shift/pedal
locks, and others, to stop thieves.
d. Install aftermarket alarm and immobilizing devices from a trusted installer.
e. Find other tips and tricks to prevent theft at lockdownyourcar.org
i. Including victim assistance if your car has been stolen.
2024 “Top Ten Most Stolen Cars” in Colorado
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ABOUT COLORADO AUTO THEFT PREVENTION AUTHORITY (CATPA):
CATPA is a state authority that was established by Colorado statute in 2003 to help reduce Colorado’s serious auto theft problem through the award of grant funds. The Colorado law helps ensure that auto theft prevention efforts are targeted. These efforts have resulted in an increase in stolen vehicle recoveries and criminal prosecutions of major organized criminal groups, as well as related crimes.
ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs. In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the Governor and other dignitaries’ protection, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more. For additional information, visit us online at Colorado State Patrol or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.