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1983

Colorado · year

Colorado in 1983

Deaths 646Fatal crashes 591Per 100,000 —US deaths 42,589

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 1983.

In 1983, 646 people died in 591 fatal crashes in Colorado.

The death toll was about level between 1982 (668) and 1983 (646).

Colorado accounted for 1.5% of the 42,589 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

57.5% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

37% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1982 and the nation

MeasureColorado 1983Colorado 1982United States 1983
Deaths64666842,589
Fatal crashes59159837,976
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver58%54%41%

Counties in 1983

Every county with a fatal crash in 1983, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 59 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Jefferson County566010.4478
El Paso County56587.7721
Denver County53557.5608
Adams County50549.9635
Larimer County30369.6352
Weld County29338.9569
Boulder County29309.1255
Arapahoe County26284.2501
Mesa County242817.4181
Pueblo County222414.1290
Garfield County181930.1101
La Plata County131424.697
Douglas County11123.0207
Baca County911326.723
Prowers County91192.024
Pitkin County91060.118
Delta County81031.051
Clear Creek County6999.232
Chaffee County8838.538
Routt County7727.741
Eagle County6712.951
Fremont County6714.077
Las Animas County6748.234
Mineral County47750.323
Gunnison County6634.745
Lincoln County5589.339
Montrose County5511.261
Rio Blanco County5575.718
Summit County5516.241
Teller County5520.127
Cheyenne County45292.120
Rio Grande County4544.921
Conejos County4453.015
Park County4421.853
Costilla County34108.524
Archuleta County3321.328
Bent County3351.912
Montezuma County3311.252
Morgan County339.978
Phillips County3366.89
Washington County3362.934
Elbert County1–2310.239
Alamosa County1–21–2—31
Custer County1–21–2—17
Grand County1–21–2—31
Huerfano County1–21–2—36
Kit Carson County1–21–2—38
Lake County1–21–2—13
Ouray County1–21–2—23
San Juan County1–21–2—9
San Miguel County1–21–2—20
Hinsdale County1–21–2—6
Crowley County1–21–2—10
Dolores County1–21–2—10
Jackson County1–21–2—21
Kiowa County1–21–2—7
Logan County1–21–2—55
Moffat County1–21–2—23
Saguache County1–21–2—33

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am5.6%
1am8%
2am7.1%
3am3.1%
4am1.4%
5am1.9%
6am0.8%
7am1.9%
8am1.2%
9am2%
10am3.1%
11am2%
12pm2.9%
1pm3.4%
2pm4.9%
3pm3.4%
4pm5.6%
5pm5.1%
6pm6.4%
7pm4.2%
8pm6.4%
9pm8.8%
10pm5.1%
11pm5.8%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday9%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday12%
Thursday11%
Friday18%
Saturday21%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Colorado in 1983?

646 people in 591 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1983 file.

Which county in Colorado had the most crash deaths in 1983?

Jefferson County with 60 deaths in 56 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1983 compare with 1982 in Colorado?

646 deaths against 668 in 1982 (+-3%). Nationally the 1983 total was 42,589.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1983 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.