The Colorado Department of Transportation’s newly released preliminary data paints a troubling picture of road safety in the state. Although overall traffic fatalities dropped slightly in 2024 compared to 2023, specific categories revealed deeply concerning spikes.
Most notably, 31 people lost their lives in construction zones—a 94% jump from the previous year—and 162 motorcyclists were killed, representing a 23% increase. Alarming figures like these demand immediate attention and a collective commitment to safer driving behaviors.
Of the 684 traffic deaths recorded in 2024, motorcyclist fatalities alone constituted nearly a quarter of all losses. September proved to be the deadliest month, with 84 people killed in crashes.
Despite the overall decline in total road deaths for the second year in a row, these increases in construction-zone and motorcycle-related fatalities signal an urgent need for heightened caution and stricter enforcement.
“While it’s promising to see a reduction in fatalities on our roadways these last two years, we continue to see careless and reckless behaviors on our roadways. It takes all of us to make Colorado a safe place for motorists and pedestrians to travel,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, underscoring both the encouraging and worrisome aspects of the data.
Encouraging declines did appear in several categories:
These improvements echo a downward trend that started after 2022, a year when Colorado experienced its highest recorded traffic death toll at 745. In 2023, the state saw another dip in fatalities overall, though cyclist deaths had gone up and pedestrian fatalities reached a high.
Still, the upward trend in certain crash types underscores how fragile these gains can be. Colorado officials are particularly alarmed about construction zone fatalities. To address speeding, which is often a key factor in serious and fatal crashes, CDOT plans to roll out a speed safety camera program in construction areas.
The goal is to protect both workers and law enforcement officers by capturing photo and video evidence of drivers who exceed safe speeds. The agency estimates the cameras could reduce fatalities and injuries by up to 37%.
The tragic loss of three lives along U.S. 6 in Mesa County last September serves as a stark reminder of what’s at stake. Two CDOT employees were working on the roadside when an impaired driver in a Jeep struck them; the passenger in the Jeep also died. Incidents like these highlight the dire need for stronger preventative measures.
Geographically, Adams County reported the highest number of fatalities (84, up 38% from 2023), followed by El Paso County (78, unchanged), Weld County (67, up 20%), and Denver (61, down 21%). In response, CDOT and the state patrol maintain a goal to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries by 22.5% by the fiscal year 2027 compared with the same period in fiscal year 2023.
“Having the ability to safely walk, bike or drive in their communities and throughout the state impacts Coloradans’ health, education and economic well-being,” said Ned Calonge, chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Safe roads and highways allow Coloradans to travel to work, meet with friends, walk to parks, get their kids to school, or simply go to the store for groceries.”
In pursuit of safer roads, the agencies plan to encourage more widespread helmet use among motorcyclists, despite Colorado laws not requiring helmets for riders age 18 or older. They also intend to bolster enforcement against impaired driving and set speed limits that promote the safety of all road users.
New laws in 2025 aim to further reduce crashes. Among them is the hands-free law, which prohibits drivers from using handheld phones, carrying fines starting at \$75 for violations. The state has also updated its child restraint rules: children must now remain in booster seats until age 9, and rear-facing car seats are required for kids under age 2 and weighing less than 40 pounds. Mandatory seat belt use continues until age 18.
In addition, the state patrol is stepping up enforcement against drivers weaving in and out of express lanes outside designated entry and exit zones. On stretches of Central 70, I-25 between Larkspur and Monument, and U.S. 36, violations will result in fines starting at \$75.
Taken together, these initiatives reflect a collective resolve to address the dangerous trends on Colorado’s roads. Yet the latest data underscores that safety must remain a pressing concern for everyone—from lawmakers and law enforcement to everyday drivers who share the state’s highways and byways.
The hope is that with sustained focus on education, enforcement, and personal responsibility, Colorado can move toward its goal of significantly reducing these heartbreaking losses on the road.
