The number of crimes happening in Colorado is climbing.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation released the 2015 Crime in Colorado report Tuesday.
The CBI report shows an overall increase of 6.2% in the number of reported crimes compared to 2014.
Vehicle thefts saw the greatest increase last year, up 27.7%.
The Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority compiled a list of where most car thefts in Colorado occur:
1. Denver
2. Colorado Springs
3. Aurora
4. Pueblo
5. Lakewood
"These are disturbing trends and there's a variety of reasons," said Carole Walker of the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority.
Experts say drugs are one of the factors fueling the surge in stolen cars.
They also point out, as Colorado's population grows, out of state crime rings are moving here too.
The consequences are widespread.
"Auto theft is the getaway car. So many people think of auto theft as a property crime. But what we're really seeing is auto theft is involved in almost every other serious crime we see, from home invasions, to murder, to drug-related crimes” said Walker.
New public service announcements are just one way police are fighting back, by reminding people to lock their doors.
That's in addition to coordinated efforts by investigators from different departments to track the players in these rings.
We are all helping to fund these programs; one dollar from your insurance policy is used to pay for prevention every year.
"As much as Colorado is a great place to live, we certainly have big city problems," said Walker.
In addition to motor vehicle thefts, other major crime categories featured in the report include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, other assault, burglary and larceny.
The report includes statewide crime statistics from 245 law enforcement agencies across the state.
To access the full report click here.