Colorado Traffic Fatalities Down 21%

There’s encouraging news on Colorado’s roads this year: traffic fatalities through April are down 21% compared to this time in 2024, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). For those of us who have spent our careers fighting for victims of car crashes, that number isn’t just a statistic—it represents real lives saved and grieving families spared.

CDOT reports that fatalities involving speed, distracted driving, and impairment have all dropped significantly, signaling that recent safety campaigns, law enforcement crackdowns, and perhaps more conscious driver behavior are having an effect.

Still, the reality is stark: 130 people have already lost their lives on Colorado roads this year. That’s 130 too many.

“This decrease is a step in the right direction, but we still have progress to make,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety.

Where We’re Seeing the Biggest Improvements

Some of the most encouraging numbers include:

• 70% decrease in teen driver fatalities
• 22% decrease in distracted driving-related deaths
• 26% drop in speed-related fatalities
• 12.5% drop in motorcyclist fatalities

At our firm, we know how devastating these types of crashes can be. We’ve represented families forever changed because someone was texting, speeding, or driving drunk. That’s why these reductions matter so much.

Even individual counties are seeing notable progress:

• El Paso County: fatalities cut in half (10 down from 20)
• Adams County: 14 deaths, down from 23
• Jefferson County: 7 deaths, down from 11

But there are exceptions: Mesa and Douglas counties have seen increases, and Denver remains unchanged, with 15 deaths so far in 2025.

New Laws Helping to Make Roads Safer

New legislation seems to be playing a key role in improving safety. Colorado’s new Hands-Free Law bans handheld phone use while driving. First-time offenders face a $75 fine, and stricter rules around child passenger safety are now in place:

• Booster seats until age 9
• Rear-facing car seats until age 2 or 40 pounds
• Mandatory seat belts until age 18

CDOT and law enforcement have also ramped up enforcement in Express Lanes, cracking down on drivers weaving in and out of designated zones.

What This Means for You — and What’s Next

As we are in the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer”—the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when crash fatalities spike—we urge all drivers to recommit to safe driving. Please:

• Buckle up every time
• Put your phone down, even at red lights, it’s the law
• Never drive impaired (alcohol, cannabis, or meds)
• Obey the speed limit, especially in school and construction zones
• Be alert at crosswalks and intersections

At The O’Sullivan Law Firm, we’ve built our practice around helping victims rebuild their lives after devastating crashes. But we’d rather no one need us in the first place.

That’s why we support CDOT’s goal of reducing serious injuries and fatalities by 22.5% by 2027. We’ll keep fighting for victims—and advocating for safer roads across Colorado.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by a crash, call or text us at 303-388-5304 for free advice. We’re here to help.