Fatal Roads

States › Colorado › 2021

2021

Colorado · year

Colorado in 2021

Deaths 691Fatal crashes 638Per 100,000 11.9US deaths 43,230

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 2021.

In 2021, 691 people died in 638 fatal crashes in Colorado, 11.9 deaths per 100,000 residents against 13.0 nationally.

The death toll rose 11% from 622 in 2020 to 691 in 2021.

Colorado accounted for 1.6% of the 43,230 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

37.9% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (42%).

34% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Friday was the most common day.

← 202020212022 →All years

Compared with 2020 and the nation

MeasureColorado 2021Colorado 2020United States 2021
Deaths69162243,230
Fatal crashes63857439,785
Deaths per 100,000 residents11.910.713.0
Crashes with a drinking driver38%35%26%

Counties in 2021

Every county with a fatal crash in 2021, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 58 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
El Paso County737710.2721
Denver County64689.3608
Adams County606512.0635
Jefferson County50529.0478
Arapahoe County47517.6501
Weld County394612.4569
Larimer County29359.3352
Pueblo County323420.0290
Boulder County313310.0255
Douglas County27287.1207
Mesa County15159.3181
La Plata County111221.197
Montezuma County101244.752
Morgan County91033.078
Fremont County9918.077
Lincoln County79160.839
Garfield County8812.7101
Park County7843.753
Broomfield County667.735
Summit County6619.441
Chaffee County5628.938
Elbert County4620.439
Prowers County1–2650.224
Alamosa County5530.031
Delta County5515.551
Eagle County559.251
Mineral County45535.923
Grand County4424.831
Huerfano County4457.236
Logan County4419.355
Montrose County448.961
Yuma County4439.823
Clear Creek County3333.132
Costilla County3381.424
Gunnison County3317.345
Kit Carson County3342.438
Otero County3316.731
Ouray County3357.723
Routt County3311.941
Washington County3362.934
Archuleta County1–21–2—28
Cheyenne County1–21–2—20
Conejos County1–21–2—15
Rio Grande County1–21–2—21
San Miguel County1–21–2—20
Teller County1–21–2—27
Sedgwick County1–21–2—15
Dolores County1–21–2—10
Hinsdale County1–21–2—6
Jackson County1–21–2—21
Lake County1–21–2—13
Las Animas County1–21–2—34
Moffat County1–21–2—23
Phillips County1–21–2—9
Pitkin County1–21–2—18
Rio Blanco County1–21–2—18
Saguache County1–21–2—33
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

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

Weekday

Sunday14%
Monday13%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday13%
Thursday15%
Friday17%
Saturday16%

Road type

Other principal arterial42%
Minor arterial18%
Interstate17%
Major collector10%
Local8%
Other freeways and expressways3%
Minor collector3%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Colorado in 2021?

691 people in 638 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2021 file, or 11.9 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Colorado had the most crash deaths in 2021?

El Paso County with 77 deaths in 73 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2021 compare with 2020 in Colorado?

691 deaths against 622 in 2020 (+11%). Nationally the 2021 total was 43,230.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2021 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.