The 17th Judicial District has witnessed a significant decrease in car thefts, with the number of reported cases cut in half since its peak in 2022.
According to District Attorney Brian Mason, car thefts surged to "crisis levels" during the COVID-19 pandemic but have since decreased by almost 50% due to proactive enforcement, targeted prosecution, and legislative reforms.
Car theft surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching what Mason called “crisis levels” in 2022.
A key factor contributing to this decline is Senate Bill 23-097, passed in 2023, which reclassifies motor vehicle thefts as felonies regardless of the car's value.
Author's summary: Car thefts in Adams and Broomfield counties have decreased by half since 2022.