Fatal Roads

States › Colorado › 2023

2023

Colorado · year

Colorado in 2023

Deaths 720Fatal crashes 666Per 100,000 12.2US deaths 41,025

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 2023.

In 2023, 720 people died in 666 fatal crashes in Colorado, 12.2 deaths per 100,000 residents against 12.2 nationally.

The death toll fell 6% from 764 in 2022 to 720 in 2023.

Colorado accounted for 1.8% of the 41,025 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

32.4% 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 (41%).

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

← 202220232024 →All years

Compared with 2022 and the nation

MeasureColorado 2023Colorado 2022United States 2023
Deaths72076441,025
Fatal crashes66669937,769
Deaths per 100,000 residents12.213.112.2
Crashes with a drinking driver32%37%26%

Counties in 2023

Every county with a fatal crash in 2023, 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 County767810.4721
Denver County717610.4608
Arapahoe County637010.5501
Adams County616411.8635
Weld County575815.7569
Jefferson County47478.1478
Larimer County354211.2352
Pueblo County354023.5290
Boulder County24288.5255
Douglas County21225.6207
Mesa County212113.0181
La Plata County101221.197
Routt County8935.741
Fremont County7714.077
Montezuma County7726.152
Park County6738.253
Eagle County4712.951
Delta County6618.651
Morgan County6619.878
Logan County5628.955
Saguache County4690.033
Clear Creek County5555.132
Garfield County557.9101
Kit Carson County5570.638
Summit County5516.241
Archuleta County4535.428
Broomfield County456.435
Huerfano County4571.636
Montrose County448.961
Rio Blanco County4460.518
Elbert County3413.639
Jackson County34314.221
Crowley County3353.610
Gunnison County3317.345
Lincoln County3353.639
Mineral County33321.523
Ouray County3357.723
Rio Grande County3326.921
San Miguel County3338.420
Washington County3362.934
Lake County1–2340.713
Cheyenne County1–23175.220
Conejos County1–21–2—15
Costilla County1–21–2—24
Dolores County1–21–2—10
Las Animas County1–21–2—34
Phillips County1–21–2—9
Sedgwick County1–21–2—15
Hinsdale County1–21–2—6
Alamosa County1–21–2—31
Baca County1–21–2—23
Bent County1–21–2—12
Chaffee County1–21–2—38
Pitkin County1–21–2—18
Prowers County1–21–2—24

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

12am3.9%
1am5%
2am3.3%
3am2.6%
4am0.6%
5am3%
6am3.3%
7am3.8%
8am2.7%
9am2.3%
10am3.6%
11am2.6%
12pm4.4%
1pm4.7%
2pm4.2%
3pm5.9%
4pm4.5%
5pm5.4%
6pm6%
7pm5.7%
8pm6%
9pm7.1%
10pm5%
11pm4.7%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday11%
Tuesday13%
Wednesday13%
Thursday15%
Friday12%
Saturday19%

Road type

Other principal arterial41%
Minor arterial20%
Interstate12%
Major collector10%
Local9%
Other freeways and expressways5%
Minor collector3%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Colorado in 2023?

720 people in 666 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2023 file, or 12.2 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Colorado had the most crash deaths in 2023?

El Paso County with 78 deaths in 76 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2023 compare with 2022 in Colorado?

720 deaths against 764 in 2022 (+-6%). Nationally the 2023 total was 41,025.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2023 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.