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1998

Colorado · year

Colorado in 1998

Deaths 628Fatal crashes 551Per 100,000 —US deaths 41,501

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 1998.

In 1998, 628 people died in 551 fatal crashes in Colorado.

The death toll was about level between 1997 (613) and 1998 (628).

Colorado accounted for 1.5% of the 41,501 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

35.6% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

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

Compared with 1997 and the nation

MeasureColorado 1998Colorado 1997United States 1998
Deaths62861341,501
Fatal crashes55153437,107
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver36%34%30%

Counties in 1998

Every county with a fatal crash in 1998, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 60 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Weld County445815.7569
Denver County46496.7608
El Paso County42445.8721
Adams County41437.9635
Arapahoe County36395.8501
Jefferson County31366.2478
Pueblo County272917.1290
Douglas County23256.3207
Boulder County20247.3255
Larimer County21236.1352
Mesa County15159.3181
Garfield County131523.7101
La Plata County101221.197
Park County91160.153
Las Animas County91068.934
Elbert County71034.039
Teller County8936.227
Clear Creek County7999.232
Montrose County7920.161
Yuma County7989.623
Eagle County8814.751
Huerfano County68114.536
Montezuma County6726.152
Summit County6722.741
Fremont County5714.077
Logan County6628.955
Delta County5618.651
Prowers County5650.224
Saguache County5690.033
Pitkin County3636.118
Custer County5590.017
Morgan County5516.578
Washington County45104.834
Chaffee County4419.238
Lake County4454.313
Otero County4422.231
Rio Blanco County4460.518
Routt County4415.841
Baca County34118.823
Costilla County34108.524
Kit Carson County3456.538
Rio Grande County1–2435.921
Crowley County3353.610
Grand County3318.631
San Miguel County1–2338.420
Alamosa County1–21–2—31
Gunnison County1–21–2—45
Jackson County1–21–2—21
Lincoln County1–21–2—39
Mineral County1–21–2—23
Dolores County1–21–2—10
Gilpin County1–21–2—8
Archuleta County1–21–2—28
Bent County1–21–2—12
Conejos County1–21–2—15
Hinsdale County1–21–2—6
Kiowa County1–21–2—7
Moffat County1–21–2—23
Phillips County1–21–2—9
San Juan County1–21–2—9

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

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday8%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday13%
Thursday14%
Friday18%
Saturday20%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Colorado in 1998?

628 people in 551 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1998 file.

Which county in Colorado had the most crash deaths in 1998?

Weld County with 58 deaths in 44 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1998 compare with 1997 in Colorado?

628 deaths against 613 in 1997 (+2%). Nationally the 1998 total was 41,501.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1998 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.