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Writer's pictureAnne Boswell Taylor

If Your Car is Stolen, There's Help

The following is a news release from the Colorado State Patrol



(COLORADO) –The Colorado State Patrol is eager to announce the reception of grant funds per Senate Bill 23-257 through the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) and the Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement (BATTLE) Motor Vehicle Theft Program. This grant funding is programmed to assist Coloradoans who have been victimized by auto theft or catalytic converter theft. Colorado residents in need who have been victims of auto theft may be eligible to receive funding to offset various specific costs.

This program is specifically designed to offset the secondary costs associated with a stolen vehicle. This program is unable to aid the primary costs of vehicle repair/replacement but aims to lessen the financial impact on the victim by providing assistance for these frequently unforeseen secondary costs such as alternative transportation, towing and storage fees of a recovered vehicle, costs to clean and sanitize a recovered stolen vehicle, and vehicle and catalytic converter hardening to prevent future victimization.

Secondary costs may still exist when a vehicle is stolen, even when law enforcement recovers and returns it to the owner. These secondary costs, such as the price of getting around without your vehicle, can feel like a re-victimization. Life doesn’t stop when your car is stolen, and the Colorado State Patrol would like to help ease some of those additional worries. This program is unable to aid the primary costs of vehicle replacement - but aims to lessen the financial impact on the victim by providing assistance for these frequently unforeseen secondary costs grant program is intended to offset some of those additional costs so citizens can get back on their feet faster.

Some costs that victims may be eligible for are:

  • Alternative transportation

    • Public transportation

    • Ride-share services

    • Rental vehicle services

  • Cleaning and sanitation fees

  • Towing and storage fees

  • Catalytic converter hardening devices

  • Steering wheel locks

If you are a Colorado resident and your registered vehicle was stolen, please visit lockdownyourcar.org to view a list of available resources and contact your local victim advocate.

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About Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA): CATPA is a state authority that was established by Colorado statute in 2003 to help reduce Colorado’s serious auto theft problem through the award of grant funds. The Colorado law helps ensure that auto theft prevention efforts are targeted. These efforts have resulted in an increase in stolen vehicle recoveries and criminal prosecutions of major organized criminal groups, as well as related crimes.


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