7 Ways to Keep Your Used Truck From Getting Stolen in Colorado

Colorado’s vehicle theft numbers have improved, but pickup trucks remain common targets. In the 2025 statewide report, trucks ranked third among vehicle types reported stolen, and Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra models appeared among the most-stolen vehicles. Here are seven practical ways to reduce the risk, whether you park at a Rampart Range trailhead, a Colorado Springs job site, or your apartment complex.

Why truck theft in Colorado deserves attention

A full-size pickup can be attractive to thieves because it may be useful as a whole vehicle, valuable for parts, or easier to resell than its owner expects. Risk varies by model, year, security equipment, and where the truck is parked. The numbers are a reason to take sensible precautions, not a reason to assume your truck will be stolen.

Colorado’s 2025 auto theft report recorded 16,291 stolen vehicles statewide, down from 24,575 in 2024. That is meaningful progress, but it does not eliminate the risk for Colorado Springs drivers. You can review the Colorado Auto Theft Authority’s 2025 report for statewide data.

The circumstances matter, too. A truck left unlocked at a trailhead, parked out of sight at a job site, or left running during a cold morning warm-up can present an easy opportunity. A few consistent habits help close those gaps.

Seven ways to protect your truck

1. Lock the doors, tailgate, and cab

Lock the truck whenever you leave it, even for a short stop. Use the tailgate’s lock if your model has one, since an unlocked tailgate can make it easier to access items in the bed. At trailheads and busy parking areas, take your keys with you and double-check the locks before walking away.

2. Keep tools and access devices out of sight

Tools left in the cab or bed can tempt someone to break in, even if they do not intend to take the truck. Put equipment away in a locked toolbox or take it with you. Also remove garage door openers, spare keys, registration documents, and anything that could help a thief access your home or identify where you live.

At a job site, avoid leaving a truck loaded with visible tools overnight. If you have to park there, choose a location that is visible to coworkers or security, and lock valuable equipment out of sight.

3. Secure the bed and tailgate

A locking bed cover or tonneau cover can conceal cargo and add a layer of protection. It will not stop someone from stealing the truck, but it can make the bed less inviting and keep gear out of view. Check that the cover and tailgate are actually latched before leaving.

4. Choose a safer parking spot

At apartment complexes, trailheads, and work sites, look for a well-lit area with regular foot traffic or camera coverage. At home, use a garage when you can. If you park outside, avoid leaving the truck in an isolated spot for long periods, especially overnight.

For trips near Rampart Range or elsewhere in the Pikes Peak region, remove valuables before heading out on the trail. A busy parking area is not the same as a secure one, so make the truck look as uninteresting as possible.

5. Use a visible deterrent, such as a steering wheel lock

A steering wheel lock adds a physical barrier and signals that your truck has extra protection. It is not foolproof, but it can make a thief choose an easier target. A professionally installed kill switch may add another layer by preventing the truck from starting without the correct action.

If you consider a kill switch, ask a qualified technician about installation and how it may affect your vehicle’s systems or warranty coverage. No single device is a guarantee. Layered precautions are more useful.

6. Consider a tracking device, and keep your keys secure

A dedicated vehicle tracking system may help locate a truck if it is stolen. Small Bluetooth trackers, including AirTag-style devices, can be a supplemental option, but they are not a substitute for a vehicle security system. Their range, alerts, battery life, and ability to update location vary. Keep any tracker discreetly placed, and understand how its anti-stalking alerts work.

Store keys and key fobs away from doors and windows at home. Avoid leaving a spare fob inside the truck, and do not assume that locking the doors is enough if the key is still in the cab.

7. Never leave your truck running unattended to warm up

A running, unlocked truck is an easy opportunity, even on a freezing Colorado morning. The Colorado State Patrol advises drivers not to leave vehicles unattended while they warm up. Colorado Springs also prohibits leaving an unattended vehicle running on certain public streets and roadways. Check the Colorado State Patrol’s cold-weather theft guidance and the Colorado Springs parking code.

Use a properly installed remote-start system according to its instructions, or stay with the truck while it warms up. Scrape the windows while you remain in the vehicle. It takes a little longer, but it avoids leaving the keys and running truck unattended.

Buying a used truck? Check its identity and history

Theft prevention starts before you own the truck. When shopping, compare the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the dashboard with the number on the title and other vehicle records. Look for signs of damage, mismatched labels, or tampering around the VIN plate. A suspicious VIN is a reason to pause and get the vehicle checked, not to take a seller’s reassurance at face value.

Colorado offers resources for researching a vehicle’s identity and history. The state’s VIN inspection information explains how inspections help verify that a vehicle’s identity is legitimate. A history report can be useful, too, but no single check replaces careful review of the vehicle and its documents.

Buying from a reputable dealership with documented vehicle history and a clear purchasing process can reduce the risk of unknowingly buying a stolen or VIN-cloned truck. It cannot guarantee that every problem is impossible, so ask questions and review the available records.

When comparing truck dealerships in Colorado Springs or used car lots in Colorado Springs, pay attention to how clearly the seller can explain the vehicle’s history. McCloskey Motors offers a selection of pre-owned trucks for sale in Colorado Springs, CO. If a pickup is not the right fit for your work, you can also explore cargo vans for sale in Colorado Springs.

A few habits can make a real difference

Before you leave your truck, lock the doors and tailgate, put away valuables, and take the keys. Park where the vehicle is visible, use added security if it suits your needs, and never leave it running unattended to warm up. If you are shopping for a used truck, take time to verify its VIN and review its history.

For help comparing pre-owned trucks, browse current inventory at BigJoeAuto.com or visit McCloskey Motors at 6710 N. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. You can also call (719) 685-7000.