Colorado State Patrol reports strong trend of Hyundai and Kia vehicle theft in Southwestern Colorado

The Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) wants to provide the information and resources to help owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles ward off would-be car thieves.

These vehicles, specifically those that use a physical key for operation, continue to be targeted by car thieves across the state, but recent trends indicate an increase in thefts in Southwestern Colorado. These stolen cars are then used to commit other crimes and travel across jurisdictions, even state lines. From dangerous driving to business burglaries and beyond, preventing auto theft saves more than just a car; it makes our communities safer.

The Colorado State Patrol and other CATPA programs continue to combat and investigate the thefts of Hyundais and Kias in relation to widespread organized crime in Colorado. These multi-agency task forces are grant programs of the CATPA, whose mission is to investigate patterned crime related to auto theft, specifically those crimes that involve the deliberate criminal enterprise of stolen motor vehicles.

All vehicles in Colorado can benefit from following these theft-prevention steps, but for Hyundai and Kia owners, they are a must. Hyundai and Kia represent many of the stolen cars in Colorado year to date.

While auto theft remains on the decline across the state, owning a vehicle on the “Top Ten Most Stolen Cars” puts your car at greater risk for being targeted by thieves. To help prevent theft, CATPA asks you to always:

1. Pick up a free steering wheel lock — visit the Durango Colorado State Patrol office or the Durango Police Department.
2. Lock your vehicle.
3. Take your keys out of the vehicle — never leave a car running unattended.
4. Park smart — in a garage, a secured parking lot, or when out and about. Park in an area that is under constant supervision. Well-lit is great, but parking under a light isn’t everything. Make sure your car is visible.
5. Keep a clean car. Thieves hate clean cars; anything left unsecured in a vehicle is an incentive for them to target your car rather than a clean one.
6. If you own a Hyundai or Kia, check with your local manufacturer service center to find out if your vehicle qualifies for a security software update.
7. Do more. Take extra steps to stop auto theft. If you own a key Hyundai or Kia, or any vehicle in Colorado’s “Top Ten List”, you must do more to prevent theft.
   •Use a steering wheel lock (available from many local Police Departments and your Colorado State Patrol Headquarters location in Lakewood).
   • Use a smart GPS tag.
   • Use physical vehicle theft prevention devices like parking boots, gear shift/pedal locks and others to stop thieves.
   • Install aftermarket alarm and immobilizing devices from a trusted installer

Find other tips and tricks to prevent theft at lockdownyourcar.org. And if you have been a victim of auto theft, you can also visit this website for more information about a victim assistance program, which may include reimbursement for qualifying expenses related to this crime.