Colorado’s Deadliest Roads and Fatal Accident Statistics

MoneyGeek analyzed the 1,706 deadly crashes that occurred in Colorado between 2018 and 2020 to understand what contributes to fatal accidents in the state. Out of the 185,486 miles of road in the Centennial State, MoneyGeek's analysis focused on 758 roads.

We explored how hazardous driving behaviors were involved in fatal accidents. Our data showed how many deadly crashes involved distracted driving, speeding or drunk driving. Another angle our analysis considered was which month most of these incidents happened.

Our study also presented data for Colorado's counties and identified the deadliest stretch of road in each.

• W. Colfax Avenue from Ingalls Street to N. Broadway is the deadliest stretch of road in Colorado. Between 2018–2020, 17 fatal accidents occurred here.
• Out of the 1,706 deadly crashes in Colorado, nearly three-quarters involved speeding or drunk driving. Speeding was a factor in 38.9% of fatal accidents, while drunk driving contributed to 33.6% of crashes.
• Distracted driving was a factor in 8.3% of accidents. That’s 141 crashes resulting in fatalities.
• August had the most deadly accidents of any month between 2018–2020. The number of fatal crashes totaled 193 (11.3%). July and June had the next highest counts, with 183 (10.7%) and 178 (10.4%), respectively.
• El Paso County had the highest number of fatal crashes of any county. The majority of these accidents (28) happened on I-25.

With 1,706 fatal crashes occurring in Colorado between 2018 and 2020, our analysis found that drunk driving contributed to 33.6% of these incidents. That's 574 collisions resulting in fatalities.

Drinking and driving are never a good combination. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in your system impairs your driving abilities. For example, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% makes you legally drunk in Colorado. However, a lower BAC already puts you and your passengers in a dangerous situation.

Your BAC reaches 0.02% after about two alcoholic drinks. At this point, you may have difficulty tracking a moving object (such as pedestrians or other vehicles) and multitasking.

Even in situations that don't lead to fatal accidents, drunk driving can leave you with long-term and potentially expensive repercussions. The cost of drunk driving isn't limited to paying fines. You might also lose your driving privileges and face jail time if caught.

A DUI on your record makes finding cheap auto insurance in Colorado challenging. You'll need to secure SR-22 insurance in Colorado, which costs more than other coverage types.

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of speeding-related fatalities in the U.S. increased by around 17%. In Colorado, speeding was a factor in 38.9% of all deadly crashes recorded. Out of 1,706 fatal collisions, 664 involved speeding.

Driving above the allowable speed limit can present multiple hazards. For example, controlling your car becomes more challenging, making a crash more likely. A higher driving speed also increases a collision's impact — you're more likely to sustain severe injuries in an accident.

Although distracted driving only contributed to 8.3% of deadly crashes from 2018 to 2020, that's still 141 recorded incidents. Colorado is currently running its Distractions Reactions Campaign, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving.

Besides that, Colorado state law prohibits minors from using mobile phones while behind the wheel. Adults, in comparison, can take regular calls as long as they wear headphones. However, they cannot use their cellphones to send text messages either.

According to MoneyGeek's analysis, August was when the most deadly crashes occurred. The recorded incidents totaled 193, accounting for 11.3% of all fatal accidents in Colorado between 2018 and 2020.

July and June were the months with the following highest figures. Each recorded 183 (10.7%) and 178 (10.4%) fatal collisions, respectively.

Being a safe driver doesn't just benefit Colorado's roadways — it helps you save money in the long term. Sometimes, accidents are unavoidable. No matter how careful you are, you might find yourself involved in one, which is why having auto insurance is crucial. A full coverage car insurance policy protects you and your passengers after a crash.

MoneyGeek puts the average cost of car insurance in Colorado at $1,450 per year. However, your premium may vary depending on where you live. For example, drivers looking for car insurance in Aurora spend around $1,512 per year, on average. In comparison, auto insurance in Fort Collins costs $400 less, at $1,112 annually. You’ll pay an average of $1,447 per year for car insurance in Denver — the state's most populous city.

Remember that MoneyGeek's analysis presents averages. Providers may offer you varying rates based on your unique profile, which considers factors like your age and driving history. It's best to compare estimates to help you find the cheapest car insurance company for your needs.

Out of the total number of incidents in Colorado, the top five counties with the most deadly accidents make up 44% of all deadly crashes. That's 815 fatal accidents recorded from 2018 to 2020.

The county with the highest figure was El Paso, with 219 deadly crashes. Most of these accidents involved drunk driving (96) or speeding (86) and happened along I-25.

For this analysis, MoneyGeek utilized 2018, 2019 and 2020 fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatal Accident Reporting System's (FARS) database. Currently, 2020 is the latest data available in the system.