 In Colorado, auto theft has increased more than 57% since 2014. That's an average of 50 vehicles stolen every day in our state. And these crimes affect all of us through higher car insurance rates and from a safety standpoint. Many car thefts can be prevented. Hi, I'm Lieutenant Daryl Miller with the Denver Police Department. And I'm Carol Walker with the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. Unfortunately, many people don't think twice about leaving backpacks, laptops, smartphones, other valuables, and even guns in their cars, right in plain sight. This makes them easy targets for thieves who start with stealing belongings and often end with stealing the car and using it to commit other crimes. Here are some simple, common sense solutions to keep your car and your things from being stolen. The first line of defense is locking your vehicle. Up to 50% of vehicle thefts are due to driver error, which includes leaving vehicle doors unlocked and leaving keys in ignition or on the seats. We see a lot of this in the winter months with people puffing their cars. Leaving vehicles running and unattended is never a good idea. Also, try using a device such as a club to lock your steering wheel. Second, don't tempt a would-be thief. Avoid leaving shopping bags and valuable personal items in your car. Even if you've never had your car broken into or stolen, we're all victims of auto theft since we pay for it through higher car insurance rates. Things can be stolen from your car that might be covered by your homeowner's insurance, but you will still be responsible for paying a deductible that could be $1,000 or more. So it's in all of our best interests to do everything we can to prevent our cars from being stolen. Finally, if you see something, say something. Report any suspicious or illegal activity by calling the Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000. Please help protect and keep our communities safe by preventing these crimes of opportunity.