Puffer Week aims to help Colorado drivers break bad habit of leaving running vehicles unattended

AURORA, Colo. – You will see #PufferWeek on social media as law enforcement agencies across the state take part in the week-long effort to stop puffing.

Officers and deputies are combining education and enforcement to remind drivers it is not safe or legal to warm your car without an automatic starter system.

Drivers who puff risk getting ticketed and having their car stolen. Officials say if you insist on warming up your car, either invest in an automatic starter or sit inside the vehicle for a few minutes.

Vehicle experts say newer vehicles do not need to sit idling for very long. Doing so can actually be detrimental to your engine, as engines were not designed to idle for long periods of time.

If you think your neighborhood is safe from thieves, you might be surprised. The Coloradoans Against Auto Theft website allows drivers to enter their zip codes and see an interactive map that shows the threat level of auto theft in the area.