Key Takeaways:
- The deadliest 10-mile stretch in Colorado is located on I-70 in northeast Denver, near Northfield and E-470, with 23 fatal crashes.
- I-25 dominates the list of the deadliest road stretches in Colorado, with six separate segments across Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Thornton, and Centennial making the rankings.
- Only one stretch of I-225 appears in the analysis, located in Aurora, with 19 fatal crashes.
- 99% of fatal crashes occurring on Colorado’s deadliest road stretches were in urban areas.
- 22% of fatal crashes occurring on Colorado’s deadliest road stretches involved a pedestrian. These crashes were three times more likely to involve pedestrians than all other fatal crashes in the state.
Colorado is known for its scenic natural lands and expanding urban areas. Its network of interstate highways connects these major cities with rural areas and outdoor recreation destinations. These routes serve a wide range of users, including commuters, freight carriers, and visitors.
However, with sustained population growth, seasonal tourism, and steady interstate traffic volumes, some segments have become high-risk zones for fatal crashes. Over time, specific 10-mile stretches have consistently recorded more deadly crashes than others, revealing areas where safety concerns are most urgent.
To identify where the most deadly crashes occur, we analyzed fatal crash data from 2019 to 2023 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Using a rolling, overlapping 10-mile window, we scanned Colorado’s highway system to find segments with the highest concentration of fatalities. This method allowed us to isolate and rank road sections where deadly collisions occurred most frequently.
Below are the results of our analysis.
I-25 Dominates the Deadliest Road Stretches in Colorado
The table below outlines the 10-mile highway stretches in Colorado with the highest number of fatal crashes over the five-year study period. Each entry includes the nearest city where the segment is located. For more details on the specific start and end points, a written overview of each stretch follows below.
[Interactive Map] Colorado’s Deadliest Highway Stretches
The map below is interactive and highlights all deadly highway stretches identified in this study. Click the buttons on the left to zoom to specific regions. If viewing on a mobile device, rotate for best viewing experience.
Deadly Road Stretches in Denver’s Metro Area
The most fatal crash-prone 10-mile stretch in Colorado is on I-70 in Northeast Denver, beginning around North Northfield Quebec Street and running east to E-470. Over five years, this segment recorded 23 fatal crashes, the highest total in the state.
The second-deadliest stretch is a central corridor of I-25, running from West 84th Avenue south to the West 6th Avenue Freeway. This high-volume stretch passes through the heart of Denver, including Denver’s Central Business District and Mariposa District. It logged 20 fatal crashes.
Another dangerous segment of I-70 spans from Denver West Marriott Boulevard in Wheat Ridge to Tejon Street in Denver. This 10-mile section saw 17 fatal crashes and serves as the primary route for several recreation and tourist-oriented spots, such as Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater.
One of the few entries outside of I-25 or I-70 includes the 10-mile stretch of I-225 in Aurora, which begins at East Smith Road and ends at South Yosemite Street. It recorded 19 fatal crashes.
North of Denver, a 10-mile stretch of I-25 in Thornton recorded 16 fatal runs from East 168th Avenue down to West 92nd Avenue. With 16 fatal crashes, it tied for sixth place overall.
South of Denver, two stretches of I-25 ranked among the deadliest in the state, ranking eighth and ninth, respectively. One runs approximately from East Lincoln Avenue to East Yale Avenue and recorded 14 deadly crashes. This 10-mile segment includes exits to office parks, shopping centers, and residential developments. Further down, within five miles, sits the other stretch from Surrey Ridge towards Castle Rock, with 11 recorded fatal crashes.
Deadly Road Stretches in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, two adjacent segments of I-25 are among the deadliest in Colorado. One stretch tied for third place with 19 fatal crashes. It begins at Mesa Ridge Parkway, passing through downtown Colorado Springs, and ending at West Bijou Street. It serves both civilian and military drivers accessing Fort Carson. From here begins the second stretch, which ranked tenth overall with 10 deadly crashes, that continues north towards Briargate Parkway, near the United States Air Force Academy Airfield.
Deadly Road Stretch in Pueblo
Further south, I-25 in Pueblo between West Pueblo Boulevard and Quartz Road recorded 16 fatal crashes and tied for sixth place among the state’s deadliest road stretches. While less congested than metro Denver, this area still experiences traffic challenges. In fact, a recent transportation report found that 37 percent of major roads in the Pueblo area are in poor condition, and inadequate roadway safety features have been a contributing factor in local traffic crashes.
Colorado’s Deadly Road Stretches Mainly Found in Urban Areas
Drivers in Colorado navigate urban, suburban, and rural roads, but the most dangerous stretches are largely found in urban areas.
The table above compares the proportion of fatal crashes occurring in urban and rural areas for both the deadliest 10-mile stretches and all other fatal crashes across the state. While only 39% of fatal crashes outside the ranked road segments happened in urban areas, nearly all crashes on the deadliest stretches occurred in urban settings. This contrast highlights how Colorado’s most dangerous segments are concentrated in cities, where traffic is typically heavier and roadway complexity is greater.
Pedestrian Involvement is More Likely on Colorado’s Deadliest Road Stretches
While most fatal crashes involve vehicles alone, some of Colorado’s deadliest road stretches show a different pattern — a higher share of pedestrian fatalities, adding another layer of risk to these urban corridors.
According to our analysis, nearly 22% of fatal crashes on Colorado’s most dangerous 10-mile stretches involved a pedestrian. In contrast, only about 7% of all other fatal crashes across the state involved pedestrians. This suggests that the deadliest stretches tend to be in areas where pedestrian traffic is more common. It’s another reminder that safety concerns on these roads go beyond vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.
Methodology
This analysis is based on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a federal database maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We reviewed all fatal crashes that occurred on Montana roadways from 2019 through 2023.
Each fatal crash was mapped across the state’s highway system. We then analyzed the data using a moving 10-mile window across all major interstates and highways in the state. This helped us identify road segments with the highest frequency of fatal crashes.
Fair Use Statement
We encourage you to share this report or reference the findings in your own coverage. If doing so, please link back to the original analysis so readers can access the full dataset and methodology.