Puffer Education
“Puffer” is an expression used by car thieves to describe a vehicle left running and unattended as evidenced by the telltale exhaust vapors visible in cold weather. This alerts thieves that a car
is probably unlocked with the keys in the ignition. Colonel James Wolfinbarger, Chief of Colorado State Patrol says, “Fifty percent of stolen cars have the keys in them, which means that the simple act of removing the keys from your vehicle cuts your risk for auto theft in half.” Leaving your vehicle unattended and running, whether it’s locked or unlocked, is against the law in the state of Colorado, with violators subject to a fine. Jefferson County stresses the education aspect and will usually just warn violators. But, ticket or no, don’t make yourself an easy target!