DENVER (KDVR) — The Centennial State has been deemed the worst state in the U.S. for auto thefts in recent years, but Colorado State Patrol said it is seeing significantly fewer auto thefts so far this year.

Colorado experienced a 98% increase in auto theft cases between 2018 and 2022. The rise in auto thefts led to new preventative measures and laws that increase penalties , as well as a rise in car insurance rates .

After Colorado saw a record number in 2022 , the amount of auto theft reports in Colorado decreased by 21% in 2023 . However, it was still a relatively high rate nationally .

“The Colorado State Patrol has been at the forefront of the battle against auto theft for some time, and while 2023 showed a substantial decrease, we are happy to report that 2024 is looking even better for our state,” CSP said in a release Thursday.

For the first third of 2024, CSP is reporting a 30% decline in auto thefts compared to the same period in 2023.

During the first four months of 2022, 14,698 auto thefts were reported in Colorado, according to CSP. The number of auto thefts during that same period dropped to 11,643 in 2023, and it is down to 8,109 in 2024.

“Looking back two years to 2022, this is a total auto theft reduction of 45%,” CSP said.

Colorado State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard said the noticeable decline is a testament to citizens’ resiliency and a collaborative effort between many law enforcement agencies across the state.

Earlier this year, the Denver Police Department attributed the drop in auto thefts to its new GPS tracker to recover stolen cars called DenverTrack .

Colorado troopers still urge vehicle protection, despite decline in theft

Despite the decline in auto thefts, CSP and the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority said now is a great time for Coloradans to do more to protect their vehicles.

“Now is no time to relax your vehicle securities. That would be exactly what auto thieves are hoping for to make their crime easier. Stay in this fight with us and CATPA to reduce auto theft and overall crime in your communities,” Packard said.

Those unsure of what protection measures to take can contact CATPA for assistance or find additional auto theft prevention tips on the website.