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1986

Colorado · year

Colorado in 1986

Deaths 603Fatal crashes 507Per 100,000 —US deaths 46,087

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 1986.

In 1986, 603 people died in 507 fatal crashes in Colorado.

The death toll was about level between 1985 (579) and 1986 (603).

Colorado accounted for 1.3% of the 46,087 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

52.3% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

33% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1985 and the nation

MeasureColorado 1986Colorado 1985United States 1986
Deaths60357946,087
Fatal crashes50752641,090
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver52%48%43%

Counties in 1986

Every county with a fatal crash in 1986, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 55 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
El Paso County58678.9721
Jefferson County516010.4478
Denver County49527.1608
Arapahoe County29355.2501
Larimer County31349.1352
Weld County28338.9569
Adams County29305.5635
Boulder County23278.2255
Pueblo County202313.5290
Douglas County13184.6207
La Plata County101526.497
Mesa County11138.1181
Garfield County101320.6101
Fremont County101122.077
Summit County91135.641
Eagle County71018.451
Pitkin County61060.118
Rio Grande County61089.821
Park County9949.153
Gunnison County7952.045
Morgan County6929.778
Montezuma County5933.552
Kit Carson County58113.038
Las Animas County4641.334
Archuleta County5535.428
Elbert County4517.039
Huerfano County4571.636
Costilla County35135.624
San Juan County1–25609.09
Clear Creek County4444.132
Lake County4454.313
Montrose County448.961
Routt County4415.841
Saguache County4460.033
Chaffee County3419.238
Logan County3419.355
Baca County3389.123
Conejos County3339.715
Delta County339.351
Otero County1–21–2—31
Prowers County1–21–2—24
Ouray County1–21–2—23
Alamosa County1–21–2—31
Bent County1–21–2—12
Crowley County1–21–2—10
Gilpin County1–21–2—8
Grand County1–21–2—31
Jackson County1–21–2—21
Kiowa County1–21–2—7
Moffat County1–21–2—23
Rio Blanco County1–21–2—18
San Miguel County1–21–2—20
Sedgwick County1–21–2—15
Teller County1–21–2—27
Yuma County1–21–2—23

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

12am4.7%
1am6.1%
2am5.9%
3am3.8%
4am1.6%
5am2.4%
6am2.4%
7am2.4%
8am4.7%
9am1.2%
10am3%
11am2.2%
12pm2%
1pm3.2%
2pm3.6%
3pm5.3%
4pm4.9%
5pm7.3%
6pm5.7%
7pm6.7%
8pm4%
9pm4.7%
10pm6.1%
11pm6.1%

Weekday

Sunday20%
Monday9%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday8%
Thursday12%
Friday17%
Saturday22%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Colorado in 1986?

603 people in 507 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1986 file.

Which county in Colorado had the most crash deaths in 1986?

El Paso County with 67 deaths in 58 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1986 compare with 1985 in Colorado?

603 deaths against 579 in 1985 (+4%). Nationally the 1986 total was 46,087.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1986 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.