Stolen truck with strong sentimental value returned after 2 months

DENVER ( KDVR ) — In June, Colton Smith reached out to FOX31 for help finding his stolen truck, a sentimental vehicle passed on to him from his late father. Now, he wants to thank viewers for helping bring that truck home.

After two months, Smith had all but given up hope of his truck’s return.

“If I see it again, it’s going to be crashed,” he said.

But this weekend, he got a letter in the mail from Brighton police saying his truck was recovered.

“I was just anxious until I got my butt up there and got to see it,” Smith said.

To his surprise, it was really his truck.

“It’s a moment I never thought would happen,” said Smith.

The truck used to be his father Steve’s, a firefighter at West Douglas Fire Rescue, until he unexpectedly died two years ago.

“The last time I saw him, I was the one driving,” remembered Smith.

To get back in the driver’s seat meant the world.

“I can’t help but smile,” said Smith. “It reminds me of being back there with dad.”

The truck had minimal damage — all things Smith can repair on his own. He thinks based on the placement of his hitch it may have been a junk hauler for a couple of months.

“I’m certain that they were using it to tow something, probably other stolen car parts,” said Smith.

Whatever the use, he’s thankful to have it back and for everyone who sent in tips to its location.

“I’m certain that someone had to have seen this thing sitting and was like hey, I think that’s that guy’s truck, and that’s how it got back to me,” said Smith. “So, I thank each and every one of you.”

Now, ready to forgive and forget, Smith believes it was his dad who helped bring the truck home so he could use it to carry on his firefighting legacy.

“You can’t buy that. You’ve got to earn it,” he said.

Smith said his first order of business is to get a new security system installed, and he encourages people with similar trucks to do the same.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.