A Comprehensive Look at the Most Stolen Cars in Colorado


Updated: November 1, 2024

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As of 2021, Colorado has the highest car theft across the United States at 661.21 per 100,000 residents. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the most stolen cars in the state are Ford and Chevrolet full-size pickups, followed by sedans such as the Honda Accord, Honda Civic and Hyundai Sonata.

This article delves into the top ten most stolen cars in Colorado, providing details about each vehicle using ratings from J.D. Power and Edmunds and comparing theft rates between 2020 and 2021.

KEY TAKEAWAYS ON MOST STOLEN CARS IN COLORADO
  • Full-size pickups from Chevrolet, Ford and GMC were among the most stolen cars in Colorado in 2021, according to the NICB.
  • Sedans from Japanese brands such as the Honda Accord, Honda Civic and Hyundai Sonata occupied the rest of Colorado’s most stolen cars of 2021.
  • Colorado has the highest car theft rate across the U.S. at 661.21 (per 100,000 people), a 31.68% increase from 2020.
  • Despite having the highest car theft rate, Colorado only ranks 5th for the most cars stolen in 2022. There were 42,327 Colorado cars stolen in 2022, a 10% increase from 2021’s 38,570.

Sources: NICB Annual Auto Theft Report, NICB: Most Stolen Cars per State, NICB: Vehicle Thefts Nationwide Surpass One Million

Top 10 Stolen Cars in Colorado

In the backdrop of the Rockies, Colorado faces its own car theft challenges. Some cars seem to be more attractive to thieves. Continue reading to learn about the most stolen cars in Colorado.

10. Jeep Cheroke/Grand Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 740

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Model Most Stolen: 1999

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Starting Price: $24,782 (Cherokee) / $31,677 (Grand Cherokee)

The Cherokee and Grand Cherokee from Jeep start this list as the tenth most stolen cars in Colorado in 2021. Both models saw an increase in thefts. Verified owners surveyed by J.D. Power rated the Cherokee an 80/100 and the Grand Cherokee an 82/100 overall.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee earned a quality and reliability rating of 82/100 and an average driving experience rating of 76/100. Meanwhile, owners of the 2021 Grand Cherokee rated its quality and reliability at 84/100, with an average driving experience rating of 80/100. Owners appreciated the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee for their efficient customization, directly obtaining their desired configurations from the dealer.

According to J.D. Power, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee has an open market starting price of $24,782, while the 2021 Grand Cherokee starts at $31,677.

9. Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 742

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Model Most Stolen: 2017

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Starting Price: $23,561

The Kia Sportage takes the ninth spot on our list of the most stolen cars in Colorado. The Sportage is a new entry into the list, with a reported 742 thefts in 2021. According to J.D. Power, owners of this car rated its quality and reliability at 88/100 and scored its driving experience at 79/100. Overall, it stands with an overall consumer score of 82/100. Owners noted it for its easy-to-use voice assistant and comfortable passenger seats. The 2021 Kia Sportage starts at $23,561, per J.D. Power.

8. Dodge Pickup (Full-Size)

Dodge Pickup RAM

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 824

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Model Most Stolen: 2005

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Starting Price: $22,120

Dodge pickups, particularly the 1500 model, are so common on American roads that they still place eighth on our list of the most stolen cars in Colorado. Drivers surveyed by J.D. Power gave the truck an overall score of 81/100, valuing its low level of road noise and accessible storage space. Despite being older models, the 1500 still saw increased thefts in Colorado, from 657 in 2020 to 824 in 2021. J.D. Power lists the starting price of this truck at around $22,120.

7. GMC Pickup (Full-Size)

GMC Sierra

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 894

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Model Most Stolen: 2005

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Starting Price: $29,952

The GMC Sierra 1500 ranked as Colorado's seventh most stolen car in 2021. The NICB report showed that the GMC's full-size pickup saw an increase in vehicle thefts to 3,496 thefts in 2021 compared to 2,891 in 2020. Per J.D. Power, verified owners of the truck rated it an overall 85/100, with its quality and reliability rated at 84/100 and its driving experience an 84/100. This full-size pickup is a high-performance truck packed with modern safety tech. The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500's market value is around $29,952.

6. Kia Optima

Kia Optima

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 1,041

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Model Most Stolen: 2015

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Starting Price: $20,765

The Kia Optima takes the sixth spot on the most stolen cars in Colorado. In 2021, the Kia Optima saw a surge in thefts, rising to 1,041 from only 392 in 2020. It's worth noting that the last Kia Optima is its 2020 iteration. J.D. Power's survey found that owners rated the vehicle at 80/100 overall, earning an 83/100 for quality and reliability and 81/100 for driving experience. Owners liked the Kia Optima for the ease of entering its cabin and the experience of its built-in voice assistant. The Kia K5 has replaced the Kia Optima as of 2021.

The starting price of the 2020 Kia Optima is $20,765, according to J.D. Power.

5. Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 1,044

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Model Most Stolen: 2017

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Starting Price: $23,349

The Hyundai Sonata takes the fifth spot in our list of Colorado's most stolen cars. According to the NICB report, the Sonata had 1,044 recorded thefts, a sharp increase from 492 in 2020. Per J.D. Power's reports, Sonata owners rated the car's quality and reliability 83/100 and its driving experience 85/100, earning an overall score of 82/100. Recognized for its spacious interior and smooth handling, the base price of this model is around $23,349.

4. Honda Accord

Honda Accord

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 1,085

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Model Most Stolen: 1997

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Starting Price: $26,167

The Honda Accord takes the fourth spot among the most stolen cars in Colorado in 2021. The NICB reported 1,085 thefts in 2021, an increase from 964 in 2020. Accord owners for J.D. Power rate the car's driving experience at 84/100 and gave its quality and reliability an 82/100. The vehicle earned an overall score of 82/100, with owners highlighting its powerful engine, storage space and bright headlights. J.D. Power lists the starting price of the 2021 Honda Accord at around $26,167.

3. Honda Civic

Honda Civic

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 1,141

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Model Most Stolen: 2000

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Starting Price: $23,948

The Honda Civic is the third most stolen car in Colorado. The sedan saw an increase in thefts from 1,002 in 2020 to 1,141 in 2021. J.D. Power surveyed Civic owners who gave its quality and reliability a score of 82/100 and its driving experience 86/100, earning the car an overall rating of 83/100. Drivers of the Civic noted it for its powerful engine and convenient storage space despite being a compact sedan. The starting price of the 2021 Honda Civic is $23,948, according to J.D. Power.

2. Chevrolet Pickup (Full-Size)

Chevrolet Silverado

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 2,282

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Model Most Stolen: 2005

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Starting Price: $27,841

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 takes the second spot on our list of the most stolen cars in Colorado in 2021. The NICB report found a total of 2,282 reported thefts, a significant increase from 1,487 in 2020. J.D. Power's surveyed Chevy Silverado owners gave the truck's quality and reliability an 83/100 and driving experience a 75/100, giving it an overall score of 83/100. Powerful and tech-packed, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is one of the most popular pickup trucks in the country. Per J.D. Power's reports, the market price for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 starts at $27,841.

1. Ford Pickup (Full-Size)

Ford F-150

Stats

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Number of Thefts: 2,760

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Model Most Stolen: 2004

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Starting Price: $32,966

The Ford F-150 takes the top spot as the most stolen car in Colorado in 2021. According to the NICB report, this popular truck saw 2,760 thefts in 2021, a significant uptick from 2,231 in 2020. J.D. Power found that Ford F-150 owners gave its quality and reliability a score of 77/100 and its driving experience an 82/100, earning an overall score of 82/100. Known for its robust performance and payload capacity, the 2021 Ford F-150 starts at $32,966.

Understanding Car Theft Trends in Colorado

Car theft rates in Colorado saw a significant increase in only four years, from 381 cases per 100,000 people in 2018 to 661.21 in 2021. This upward trend highlights the pressing need for practical actions to address the growing car theft problem in the state.

Car Theft Rate in Colorado, 2018–2021

FAQ About the Most Stolen Cars in Colorado

What are the most commonly stolen vehicles in Colorado?
What should I do if my car is stolen in Colorado?
What attracts thieves to particular car models?
What can I do to prevent my car from being stolen?
If my car is stolen and recovered, will my insurance cover any damages?

Related Resources

Dive deeper into car insurance with these additional resources from MoneyGeek. Whether you're just starting in the field of insurance or looking for comprehensive insights, these guides provide valuable information:

About Nathan Paulus


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Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content Marketing at MoneyGeek, with nearly 10 years of experience researching and creating content related to personal finance and financial literacy.

Paulus has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life build stronger financial foundations.


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