Aurora police offers free GPS tags to help recover stolen Colorado cars
As of March 31, Aurora police reported 596 vehicle thefts. While these crimes are decreasing, APD is taking another step to crack down on auto theft. Drivers can sign up for a free GPS tag designed to help locate and recover stolen vehicles.
MetroTrack provides eligible Aurora residents with GPS tracking devices, either Apple AirTags or Chipolo trackers, along with MetroTrack window decals, all at no cost.
From APD's peak of 6,781 stolen vehicle reports in 2022, cases dropped to 3,545 in 2024 -- a nearly 50% decrease.
"We understand the importance of protecting your car, especially from car thieves," said Agent Matthew Longshore, Public Information Officer for APD. "We're actually providing residents in our community a tracking device to put into their vehicle. If it gets stolen, they can provide that information to law enforcement so we have a better opportunity to find their car."
The kits include:
- One GPS tracking device (AirTag or Chipolo)
- Two window stickers
- Self-installation instructions
Only the vehicle owner retains access to the GPS location data. APD can only respond to tracking information if the owner voluntarily shares it.
"This isn't something where you're sharing your vehicle's location with the police department," Longshore emphasized. "We don't want to play big brother. We don't want to actively track your car."
APD says its new pursuit policy is helping recover more stolen cars, but they'd rather find them before it becomes a chase.
"We're hoping that either we can find the car unoccupied and recover it simply and easily, or track the car down before it leads to a high-speed pursuit," Longshore said. "The end goal is to make sure we're getting people's property back and holding criminals accountable."
Inspired by similar programs in Denver and Cook County, Illinois, MetroTrack leans heavily on visibility as prevention. Stickers on the window indicating you have the GPS acts as a strong deterrent to thieves.
"Through our conversations with leadership in Cook County, we learned the stickers they use are a key component for preventing vehicle thefts in the first place," said Commander Mike Hanifin of the APD Community Engagement Bureau. "When thieves see a vehicle is registered and tracked by local law enforcement, they tend to move on in search of an easier target."
The Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority provided funding for APD to give out over 2,000 tags.
Colorado, once ranked first in the nation for per capita vehicle thefts, has seen a 45% reduction in the past two years, according to CATPA.
The state continues to invest heavily in anti-theft initiatives, recognizing the broader impacts of stolen vehicles.
Cale Gould, Public Outreach Coordinator for CATPA, says Denver's trackers have been effective.
"Programs like this are a wonderful recovery tool for law enforcement and have proven to be strong deterrents," Gould said. "Vehicles involved in these programs show a very low rate of theft at all."
If your car is stolen, CATPA had a victim assistance fund. It covers expenses ranging from towing to temporary transportation and repairs.
"This program looks to provide everything from basic temporary transportation if your vehicle is not yet recovered, to impound fees and cleaning services," said Gould. "It's a really comprehensive look at trying to reduce the impact of motor vehicle thefts."
There are no income requirements for victims to qualify, but applicants must meet basic eligibility, including valid Colorado registration and insurance.
Aurora residents can register for a GPS tag online at AuroraGov.org/MetroTrack by submitting their vehicle's make, model, and VIN. Upon verification of valid registration and insurance, residents can pick up their MetroTrack kits starting May 5 at the Aurora Police District 1 Station.
For more information on victim assistance, or theft prevention tips, visit LockDownYourCar.org.
