Adams & Broomfield Counties See Sharp Decline in Motor Vehicle Theft Filings

Brighton, CO — District Attorney Brian Mason today announces a dramatic drop in motor vehicle theft in Adams and Broomfield Counties since their peak in 2022, with year-to-year reductions continuing through 2025. 

According to data compiled from 2019–2025, motor vehicle theft surged during the pandemic years and reached crisis levels in 2022, giving Colorado the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number of motor vehicle thefts per capita in the nation. 

District Attorney Brian Mason responded to the crisis decisively and with concrete action. Through proactive enforcement, targeted enhanced prosecution, and legislative reforms championed in 2023, case filings for motor vehicle thefts and corresponding case filings for motor vehicle theft have dropped significantly—down nearly half since their peak. 

Several jurisdictions within the 17th Judicial District have seen especially notable reductions: 

• 17th Judicial District (Adams & Broomfield): Overall filings decreased 31% between 2022 and 2024 and are down 51% through Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2022. 

• Adams County: Filings decreased 29% from 2022 to 2024 and are down 52% through Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2022. 

• Broomfield: Filings decreased 45% from 2022 to 2024 and are down 47% through Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2022. 

• Thornton: Filings decreased approximately 25% from 2022 to 2024 and are down 60% through Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2022. 

• Westminster: Filings decreased 25% in 2024 compared to 2022 and are down 55% through Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2022. 

In 2023, District Attorney Brian Mason played a pivotal role in writing, shaping and advocating for legislation aimed at combating Colorado's escalating motor vehicle theft crisis. His efforts culminated in the passage of Senate Bill 23-097, which reclassified all motor vehicle thefts as felonies, irrespective of the vehicle's value. This legislative change eliminated the previous misdemeanor classification for lower-value thefts, thereby enhancing penalties and deterrents for offenders. 

“Motor vehicle theft once surged to crisis levels in Adams and Broomfield Counties, devastating families and our communities. So, the District Attorney’s Office responded. Together with state legislators and other District Attorneys from around the state, we rewrote Colorado’s motor-vehicle theft laws to ensure accountability for offenders. Before, when a thief stole a car, the penalty was tied to the value of the stolen car – a blatant inequity in the law that made it easier for thieves to prey upon the poor and those who could least afford to buy a new car after theirs was stolen. Combined with the hard work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, those reforms are now showing results. Thieves noticed that we were vigorously prosecuting them for stealing cars and that the law change gave us the teeth and the tools to do so more effectively. Consequently, motor vehicle thefts are way down and overall filings are down nearly half since their peak in 2022. There is more work to do – any stolen car is one too many – but this is real progress and has made our community safer. We will continue to vigorously prosecute motor vehicle theft cases and hold accountable those who try to hurt the people of this community.” -- District Attorney Brian Mason.  

This success reflects close collaboration between the District Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement, and state leaders who have supported reforms to strengthen accountability for vehicle theft.