DENVER — After years of a growing problem, vehicle thefts are down in Colorado, and Hyundai technicians in Denver are working to keep it that way.
The Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force reports a 30% decrease in vehicle thefts since the start of 2024, compared to 2023. Hyundai models continue to be listed among the top 10 stolen vehicles in the state. The vehicle manufacturer is now working with Denver Police to stay ahead of thieves.
"I've seen cars that come in here that have been stolen, and they have gotten them back, but the cars are just not the same,” Hyundai technician Susan Marsh said. "I mean, technology amazes me every single day, but the fact that this is out there, and we can do this for the older vehicles, is great for the customers."
Marsh is using technology to help make sure Hyundai owners in Denver don’t get their vehicles stolen. She’s helping install new software to better protect Hyundai vehicles from break-ins and the thieves who know how to start them without a key. According to C-MATT, Hyundai is the second-most-stolen vehicle in the state.
Ira Gabriel, who also works for Hyundai, is hoping the tech updates will take them off that list.
"This was started over two years ago on social media,” he said. “It's a trend that shows people how to steal vehicles. We continue to engage in conversations to learn more about what some of the data trends are that law enforcement is seeing.”
This weekend, Hyundai partnered with Denver Police to put on a three-day anti-theft software update event at Empower Field.
“We look at this as an opportunity to help police any way we can,” Gabriel said.
"A lot of times [vehicle manufacturers] will contact us and tell us, ‘Hey, you know, we're repairing these cars and we're finding this is one of the ways that they're getting into these vehicles,’ and they share that with us,” Denver Police Officer Hana Ruiz said. “They also give us tools to prevent it."
Gabriel said 841 Hyundai vehicles were updated during the three-day event. He said they also distributed more than 1,000 steering wheel locks. Ruiz said steering wheel locks are an easy way to deter thieves. She’s also encouraging people to register for DenverTrack — a program that can help police track down your vehicle if it ever gets stolen.
Marsh said the drivers who received anti-theft software updates on their Hyundai vehicles are feeling more secure now than before.
“They're not so worried about it being stolen,” she said. "They can invest in it and know that their vehicle is going to be safe."
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