According to the FBI, Colorado recorded 104 bank robberies in 2023, the most recent year with data available. That ranked third in the nation behind California (192) and Illinois (116).

Jenifer Waller, chief executive officer and president of the Colorado Bankers Association, said the state’s high ranking is nothing new.

“Colorado, unfortunately, has always been high in robbery,” Waller said. “We compete with California and a few other states for the number one position on bank robberies.”

While incidents declined after 2021, when Colorado had 191 bank robberies, Waller said the trend appears to be edging upward again.

“We saw what I would consider a drastic increase a little over a year ago,” she added. “Some of our member banks have noticed a slight uptick again in recent months.”

That concern has been echoed by law enforcement agencies across the state — including in Aurora, where police recently responded to an armed bank robbery that underscored how quickly these crimes can escalate.

On Sept. 24, Aurora police were called to a BMO Bank branch after a man pulled a gun on a teller and demanded cash.

“A man walked in, went straight to the middle counter, pulled out a gun, put it into one of the employees’ faces and demanded money,” an Aurora Police Department (APD) spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The suspect fled with about $1,000. Detectives identified him as 41-year-old Matthew Procella, and three days later — aided by a license-plate reader hit — officers located his vehicle and arrested Procella without incident.

The APD said that while the department doesn’t separately track bank-robbery data, overall robbery in the city is down 36.3% year-to-date, alongside a 40% increase in arrests.

The FBI declined to comment, citing the ongoing government shutdown.

When asked what might be fueling this increase, Waller admitted it’s a complex issue with no clear cause.

“I’ve often questioned if the easy access to highways and interstates doesn’t aid in bank robberies here,” she said. “But I don’t have a solid answer. It could also be a downturn economically that motivates it — we have seen that in the past.”

When asked what might be fueling this increase, Waller admitted it’s a complex issue with no clear cause.

Colorado banks are taking proactive steps to deter robberies and protect both customers and employees. Many of these security upgrades were accelerated by pandemic protocols and have continued as permanent deterrents.

“Banks are very proactive. Our number one priority is ensuring the safety of our customers and employees in any robbery situation,” Waller said. “One thing we saw implemented … is where banks’ doors would be locked and the customers would have to get access to come inside the bank. We’ve seen banks continue that as a means of security.”

Banks are also leaning on technology, including dye packs, advanced cameras and continued employee training. Some institutions have opted to employ armed guards as a further deterrent.

Despite the high numbers, most bank robberies in Colorado are nonviolent, Waller said.

“The majority of robberies in Colorado and nationwide are note jobs and nonviolent robberies,” Waller explained. “Usually not even a gun is drawn.”

Still, even nonviolent robberies take an emotional toll.

“Bank robbery isn’t a victimless crime,” Waller said. “Those involved — employees and customers alike — experience a certain amount of stress, even if it’s just a note job.”