Boulder County, Colo. -The District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies throughout Boulder County, is pleased to announce a substantial decline in motor vehicle thefts across Boulder County, signaling a positive trend in public safety and community well-being.
According to recently compiled data through the second quarter of 2025, motor vehicle thefts reported to Boulder County law enforcement agencies decreased by 22% from 2023 to 2024, with continued reductions observed in 2025 year-to-date. In comparing the first and second quarters of 2025 to the same timeframe in 2024 there has been a 50% decrease in motor vehicle thefts being reported. This downward trend reflects the collective efforts of the state of Colorado, Boulder County law enforcement agencies, and the District Attorney’s Office.
Among the highlights in the data:
• Boulder PD reported a 37% drop in motor vehicle thefts from 2023 to 2024 and a 48% decrease in the first half of 2025 compared to the first half of 2024.
• Longmont PD saw a 21% reduction in 2023 to 2024 and a 51% decrease in the first half of 2025 compared to the first half of 2024.
• Overall, the county recorded an overall 1,399 incidents in 2023, which fell to 1,094 in 2024, and just 280 incidents in the first half of 2025.
• The District Attorney’s Office cases of motor vehicle theft decreased 10% from 2023 to 2024 and decreased 34% in the first half of 2025 compared to the first half of 2024.
This decline comes on the heels of Colorado reporting significant increases in motor vehicle thefts between 2019 and 2023 and taking strong, proactive steps to change state law and increase enforcement of the law. In 2023, the Colorado General Assembly passed a bipartisan bill to strengthen and classify all motor vehicle thefts as felonies, regardless of the value of the vehicle, and allowed for prosecutions in cases where a defendant knew or reasonably should have known the vehicle was stolen or that its use was unauthorized.
District Attorney Michael Dougherty was a strong proponent of this change in law and helped craft the new language and he, also, testified in support of the bill at the State Capitol.
This steep decline can be attributed to four main factors. First, car theft investigations are a priority for law enforcement in Boulder County. Second, we have worked hard to raise community awareness around locking car doors at night and reducing easy opportunities for thieves. Also, law enforcement is using Automated License Plate Readers to locate stolen cars and catch car thieves inside the stolen vehicle. Finally, the change in the law has allowed for more serious consequences for all car thefts, regardless of the value of the car.
The District Attorney’s Office encourages residents to continue taking proactive steps to secure their vehicles and report suspicious activity. For example, don’t leave your car keys on the front seat of your car overnight with the windows down because you want to have easy access to the car in the morning. Thieves are preying upon that same path of least resistance.
Longmont Police Chief David Moore explained, “Law enforcement recognizes the tremendous impact on people’s lives when their vehicles are stolen. We also know auto thefts are often associated with other crimes and have a much larger impact on our communities as a whole. We do everything we can to assure the safe apprehension of criminals and the return of the vehicles to their owners. We greatly appreciate the teamwork throughout the county as these crimes often traverse jurisdictional boundaries. As a reminder, with cold weather just around the corner, warming up a car in a driveway or on the street advertises your vehicle as a target. Let’s all do our part to continue our downward trend with this crime.”
DA Michael Dougherty stated, “When Colorado experienced the dramatic spike in car thefts, we responded by strengthening the auto theft laws. As a matter of fundamental fairness, the level of crime should not be based on the monetary value of the car. The theft of the only car owned by a worker, parent or family can have a devastating impact, even if the car has seen better days. I appreciate the hard work of Boulder County law enforcement in going after crime rings and the individuals who are stealing cars. Also, I want to acknowledge the community members who have been taking steps to protect their property by locking their car doors. It is a simple step, but it makes a big difference.”
Boulder Police Department Chief Steve Redfearn stated, “Motor vehicle thefts are often crimes of opportunity, and we’re proud of our partnerships in the city that have played an important role in raising the community’s awareness of this crime and helped to reduce it. A car can be stolen in seconds so it’s critical that everyone does their part to keep their vehicles locked. We will do our part to investigate each crime to find the person responsible for the theft and return the cars to their owners whenever possible.”
