Colorado crime data shows steep increase murder, car theft in 2020

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Bureau of Investigation just released crime statistics from 2020 showing a sharp spike in murder and motor vehicle theft compared to 2019, sex offenses saw a large decrease compared to the year before. Overall crimes across the state rose by just under 4 percent.

According to the report, there were 65 more murders in Colorado in 2020 compared to 2019, which is a 28.63 percent increase.

Motor vehicle thefts are rose sharply in Colorado as well, with 8,621 more cars reported stolen in 2020 than in 2019, an increase of 38.62 percent.

Sex offenses dropped in 2020 compared to 2019, with 1,148 fewer reported offenses, a drop of 16.92 percent.

In 2020, crimes against property stayed pretty steady, crimes against property rose by roughly 10 percent, and crimes against society dropped by more than 26 percent.

We are looking into what factors might have played into these changes in crime statistics in 2020, we'll have a full report tonight on KRDO News Channel 13 at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.