As car thefts in Colorado continue to be an issue, the Colorado State Patrol is expanding its program which was created to curb those thefts. Troopers tell CBS Colorado that car thefts are down 20% but they want to see it non-existent so they are providing a free steering wheel lock for anyone who needs one.

Your First Alert Traffic Tracker Reporter Brian Sherrod met with Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority Public Outreach Coordinator Cale Gould to discuss the importance of this program. Gould tells CBS Colorado a steering wheel lock is a great device to help increase physical vehicle security. Drivers can get a wheel lock by providing the VIN of the vehicle for which they want the added protection. There is a limit of one wheel lock per person. 

Gould tells CBS Colorado reducing auto theft in Colorado has a ripple effect in communities. When auto theft is reduced, other crime types and incidents also show reductions. 

A quality theft prevention routine considers many possible factors to help deter and prevent vehicle theft. This should always include locking your car every time; no matter where or how long you will be away from it. Locked vehicles are the most secure when all keys are removed from them. Gould says to always take extra, spare, or valet keys out of a vehicle.

Then, once fully locked and secured, make sure your car is clean. Gould says thieves hate clean cars. What may seem like trash or unimportant items, like change, gym bags, or shopping bags from stores, may not catch your interest, but small things left visible in a vehicle can get a thief to target your vehicle over a vehicle without anything left in it. Take all items out of your vehicle and place any necessary items out of sight in the glove box or trunk.

“We always say clean out your car and don’t leave things in there, Gould said. “People don’t realize the things they leave. If you were looking at two identical cars and a thief was going to steal one of them and one of them is full of stuff, it doesn’t make people want to break into the clean car. Thieves hate clean cars.”

Primary distribution happens out of the Colorado State Patrol Records Department located at 700 Kipling Street in Lakewood. Locks can be picked up Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. excluding holidays. There is a limit of one lock per person. 

Other locations include: 

1. Alamosa – Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 3110 First Street, Alamosa, CO 8110
2. Castle Rock – Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.  Troop 1B 4600 Castleton Court, Castle Rock, CO 80109. Out of stock till 7/07
3. Colorado Springs – Monday – Friday,  8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bring a VIN for registration. Troop 2B, 1480 Quail Lake Loop Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 635-0385 
4. Craig – Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 800 W. 1st Street #400 Craig, CO 81625
5. Durango – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and at special events. Troop 5A, 20591 Hwy 160 Durango, CO 81301
6. Florence – Monday – Friday,  8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 600 W. 3rd Street Suite C Florence, CO 81226 – 719-784-3275
7. Ft. Collins Pick Up – Monday – Friday,  8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Bring a VIN for registration. Troop 3C, 3832 S. Interstate 25 Fort Collins, CO 80525 (Just North of Harmony Rd Exit headed North on I-25)
8. Golden – Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Troop 1A/E, 1096 McIntyre St, Golden, CO 80401
9. Pueblo – Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Troop 2D, 5615 Wills Blvd, Pueblo, CO 81008. Out of stock until 6/28 

Check the nearest location for distribution information and hours.