Metro Track Aims to Prevent Vehicle Thefts Through Visible Deterrents, GPS Tracking
(April 24, 2025) – The Aurora Police Department in partnership with the city of Aurora and the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority is launching a free program aimed at preventing vehicle thefts through visible deterrents and GPS tracking.
MetroTrack kicks off Thursday and is available to all residents of the city of Aurora. MetroTrack is an auto theft deterrent program that enables the Aurora Police Department to assist in locating stolen vehicles using GPS data provided by the vehicle’s owner.
As part of the program, APD will distribute free GPS tracking devices to help community members track and aid in the recovery of their vehicle. Residents who own vehicles that are already equipped with GPS tracking systems through a vehicle assistance program, such as OnStar, are welcome and encouraged to participate in the MetroTrack.
By enrolling in the program, residents agree to share their vehicle’s GPS location with Aurora police in the event it is stolen. It is the owner’s responsibility to access their Bluetooth tracking app and provide real-time location data to responding officers. APD cannot access a vehicle’s GPS information without the owner’s explicit consent.
Based on similar programs in Cook County, Ill. and Denver, MetroTrack features a two-prong strategy to auto theft prevention using highly visible vehicle stickers in addition to GPS monitoring.
“Through our conversations with leadership in Cook County, we learned the stickers they use are a key component for preventing vehicle thefts in the first place,” said Mike Hanifin, commander of the Aurora Police Department Community Engagement Bureau. “When thieves see a vehicle is registered and tracked by local law enforcement, they tend to move on in search of an easier target.”
Once registered for MetroTrack, vehicle owners will receive two free stickers to place in the corner of their driver’s side and passenger’s side windows. The stickers are designed to be visual deterrents, alerting potential thieves that the vehicle can be monitored and located by Aurora police.
Residents driving older model vehicles not already equipped with a GPS monitoring system are eligible to receive a free GPS tracking device to hide in their vehicle. The Aurora Police Department has both AirTags and Chipolo trackers to accommodate Apple and Android personal device users.
The GPS tracking devices are provided free of charge by the city of Aurora and the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority. There is a limit of two devices per household. There is no subscription fee for the GPS tracking devices provided by the Aurora Police Department. To receive free tracking devices, vehicle owners must have valid vehicle registration and current automobile insurance.
MetroTrack is sponsored by Aurora City Council Member Curtis Gardner and is a priority initiative of the Aurora City Council following several years of steady increases in auto thefts throughout the state. According to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center, Colorado ranked fifth in 2022 in the total number of auto thefts but ranked first in both 2021 and 2022 in the number of vehicle thefts per capita.
Despite a stark increase in motor vehicle thefts during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Aurora has experienced a drop in recent years. In 2024, Aurora police officers responded to 3,545 reports of stolen vehicles, which was down from 5,223 in 2023 and 6,781 at its recent peak in 2022. As of March 31, the Aurora Police Department has received 596 stolen vehicle reports.
“Although it’s encouraging to see motor vehicle thefts are on the decline in Aurora, it’s still a significant issue plaguing our city and our state,” said At-Large Aurora City Council Member Curtis Gardner. “Our community members rely on their vehicles for common, everyday necessities.
“The goal of MetroTrack is to provide our officers with the technology they need to help victims recover their vehicles as quickly as possible to minimize, or hopefully eliminate, any impact on their daily lives.”
For more information or to sign up for MetroTrack, visit AuroraGov.org/MetroTrack. Once registered, residents can schedule a date and time to pick up a MetroTrack self-install kit from Aurora police’s District 1 station, 13347 E. Montview Boulevard. Self-install kits include a GPS tracking device, window stickers and important program information.
MetroTrack self-install kits will be available beginning Monday, May 5. Kits are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095