Tackling Auto Theft Crisis: Colorado Lawmakers Clear Bill For Felony Classification

Colorado, currently ranked as the nation’s top state for auto thefts, took a significant step towards addressing the issue on Saturday as state lawmakers passed a bill aimed at curbing this alarming trend.

The newly approved legislation, Senate Bill 97, seeks to overhaul the existing criminal offense system for auto thefts in the state, making all such offenses felonies, irrespective of the stolen vehicle’s value.

Presently, the severity of criminal charges for auto theft in Colorado depends on the value of the stolen vehicle, ranging from a class 1 misdemeanor for cars valued at $2,000 or less to a class 3 felony for vehicles worth $100,000 or more.

Having successfully passed its final major legislative vote on Saturday, the bill now awaits minor amendments before being sent to the governor for final consideration.

Advocates of the legislation believe that increasing the penalties for auto theft will serve as a deterrent to criminals. However, opponents argue that harsher charges alone will not curb theft if law enforcement fails to apprehend the thieves in the first place.

Data presented by lawmakers revealed that in 2022, approximately 40,000 vehicles were stolen in Colorado, but only around 3,900 arrests were made, resulting in less than 10% of stolen vehicles leading to an arrest.

Colorado reached an alarming figure of 524.3 thefts per 100,000 people, more than double the national rate.