Research Corner: Snapshot of retail theft in Colorado

Retail theft in Colorado has garnered significant interest in recent years, as local economies and small businesses grapple with economic challenges. Colorado’s retail economy endures retail crime in two forms: shoplifting for personal use, and organized retail crime, where individuals or groups steal and resell the goods in other marketplaces.

According to a University of Chicago study, larceny-theft is below 2019 levels nationwide. Colorado does not appear to follow this trend. In 2024, Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) records show a 22.4% increase in shoplifting incidents compared to 2023, putting shoplifting incidents 10% higher than a decade ago. This number likely underrepresents the true prevalence of retail theft, as researchers estimate 89% of all retail theft incidents go unreported nationally.

While retail theft appears to be on the rise statewide, ten counties account for almost 85% of all shoplifting incidents. These incidents are also concentrated along the Front Range where population and retail density, as well as proximity to interstate routes likely influence retail theft trends.

Nationally, most retail theft includes mid-value items ranging from $100 to $299. CBI data indicate that department/discount stores see the most theft in Colorado (compared to grocery, specialty, commercial, and convenience stores). And while big box stores and national chains largely fall in this group, each stolen item means a loss of sales tax revenue for Colorado municipalities. Researchers at the Common Sense Institute (CSI) estimate approximately $78 million in lost sales tax revenue in 2022.

Municipalities face a number of obstacles in addressing retail theft, including deterrence, enforcement, data collection, and reporting. To build capacity to tackle retail theft in our communities, CML is hosting a training in October. Stay tuned for details!

Sources: Common Sense Institute, State of Colorado presentation on retail theft, University of Chicago presentation on retail theft