Zenzinger Joins Fellow Legislators, Law Enforcement Officials to Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Auto Theft, Improve Public Safety in Colorado

Zenzinger: “Coloradans are demanding we do something to reduce auto thefts in our state, and by eliminating this disparity, Colorado will treat every auto theft equally.”

DENVER, CO – Colorado Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, joined fellow legislators, community leaders, and law enforcement officials from across Colorado today to unveil new, bipartisan legislation that will cut down on auto thefts and improve public safety across Colorado.

Cosponsored by Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, SB23-097 will reduce auto thefts in Colorado by eliminating the provision in state law that ties the value of a stolen vehicle to the severity of the penalty, which will improve equity and make most motor theft a felony regardless of the vehicle’s value. 

The bill also aims to deter repeat offenders by elevating the felony level if the offender has two prior convictions for auto theft, or if the suspect possesses the stolen car for over 24 hours, alters its plates, leaves the state, causes $1,000 or more in damage, causes an injury to another, or uses the vehicle in another crime.

“Right now, stealing a car worth less than $2,000 is treated as a misdemeanor, while stealing cars worth more than $2,000 is a felony. Not only is it unfair, it simply doesn’t make sense,” Zenzinger said. “Coloradans are demanding we do something to reduce auto thefts in our state, and by eliminating this disparity, Colorado will now treat every auto theft equally, because a stolen car represents much more than stolen property - it impacts people’s ability to get to work, shop for groceries, and live their daily lives. This legislation levels the playing field and will improve equity, bolster protections for victims, and create safer communities across Colorado.”

“The unfortunate reality is crime continues to climb in Colorado, especially auto theft, and many of those who have fallen victim to this crisis have been those in disenfranchised and lower income communities,” Gardner said. “By felonizing all auto theft, we can hold criminals accountable for their actions and send a clear message that this crime will not be tolerated. While this bill is a good start in the right direction, there is still plenty of work that must be done to solve this crime crisis we continue to face.” 

“Across the nation, auto theft rates are rising, and communities in Colorado are seeing the same," said Bird. "No one should have to worry that their car won’t be where they left it. For so many of us, our car is our most valuable and important asset. We depend upon it to get to work, pick up our kids from school, go to the grocery store and to just live our lives. Not having a car makes this nearly impossible. Reducing auto theft is a top priority for me this session, and I’m excited to see this legislation introduced.”

"By removing 'value' and felonizing auto thefts, Colorado will ensure victims of auto theft will be treated the same regardless of the vehicle's value,” Soper said. “Most Coloradans do not have auto theft insurance, much less the cash to buy a new car if theirs is stolen. Our number one status for auto thefts has resulted in victimized Coloradans being unable to drive to work, get medicine, or function. I'm proud of the bipartisan team that is stepping up to tackle the problem of auto thefts by being tough on crime."

“To achieve our shared goal of making Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the next five years, it is critical we address rising auto theft crimes in our state - Coloradans are counting on us,” said Governor Jared Polis. “A vehicle's monetary value does not represent the value to the owner and the impacts a stolen vehicle has on a person or family's daily life. Criminals should be held accountable for the crimes they commit and charged in a consistent, just, and rational way. I applaud the sponsors for taking bipartisan steps to address auto theft crimes, no matter the value of the vehicle.”

The policy received support without objection from the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) on Friday. According to the CCJJ, Colorado leads the nation in auto thefts with an 86 percent statewide increase in stolen vehicles from 2019 to 2021. 

SB23-097 will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Track the bill’s progress HERE.