Yes.
Motor vehicle theft in Colorado is down this year compared with last year, the second year in a row that the crime has dropped.
In 2022, motor vehicle thefts rose for the first time in at least two years to 47,079 thefts. Last year, incidents of car theft fell by 16% to 39,514 offenses. Through July, 18,836 car thefts have been reported in the state, less than half of last year’s total.
The Colorado State Patrol believes that stiffer charges are playing a part in the decrease. Last year, the legislature passed a law that no longer classifies motor vehicle theft based on the value of the stolen vehicle but on the severity of the offense, such as whether the stolen vehicle was used in a crime. The change also enhances charges against repeat offenders.
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