Fatal crashes in Adams County, Colorado
In 2024, 84 people died in 79 fatal crashes in Adams County, Colorado, 31.3% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 591 fatal crashes and 635 deaths, the 2nd most of 64 counties in Colorado.
15.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado in 2024; 12.3 against 11.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 542,973, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Colorado.
Deaths in Adams County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79 | 84 |
| 2023 | 61 | 64 |
| 2022 | 73 | 81 |
| 2021 | 60 | 65 |
| 2020 | 48 | 53 |
| 2019 | 63 | 69 |
| 2018 | 49 | 51 |
| 2017 | 60 | 64 |
| 2016 | 58 | 60 |
| 2015 | 40 | 44 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Adams County
US 287 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Adams County from 2015 to 2024: 45, with 47 deaths. The 14 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Adams County from 2015 to 2024; 4 are interstates, 5 US routes, 5 state highways. 43% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 57% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 287 | 45 | 47 | 19 | |
| 2 | I-76 | 37 | 41 | 11 | |
| 3 | I-25 | 34 | 36 | 13 | |
| 4 | US 85 | 22 | 25 | 5 | |
| 5 | I-70 | 20 | 20 | 7 | |
| 6 | US 40 | 17 | 17 | 9 | |
| 7 | I-270 | 12 | 12 | 5 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 95 | 10 | 10 | 5 | |
| 9 | State Highway 7 | 9 | 9 | 4 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 79 | 8 | 9 | 0 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 470 | 8 | 8 | 5 | |
| 12 | US 6 | 8 | 8 | 1 | |
| 13 | US 36 | 6 | 7 | 4 | |
| 14 | State Highway 224 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Aurora had 15% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 86 of 591.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Aurora 86, Thornton 85, Commerce City 73, Brighton 46, Westminster 45, Northglenn 21, Federal Heights 9. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Adams County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 42 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.6 percent, 27 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 28 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 7.1 percent, 42 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.2 percent, 31 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.8%
- Feb5.1%
- Mar6.8%
- Apr6.9%
- May8.1%
- Jun6.9%
- Jul11.3%
- Aug10.7%
- Sep10.5%
- Oct9.1%
- Nov8.3%
- Dec8.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Adams County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 38%; a pedestrian in 23%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 21%, a rollover in 9.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 227 | 38% |
| Pedestrian | 133 | 23% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 124 | 21% |
| Rollover | 57 | 9.6% |
| Other | 27 | 4.6% |
| Cyclist | 14 | 2.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 9 | 1.5% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Adams County compare with Colorado
The largest difference from Colorado: from 2015 to 2024, 7.1% of fatal crashes in Adams County were on rural roads, against 39% across Colorado. Also above the Colorado share: intersections, hit-and-runs and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Colorado. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 591 crashes.
| Adams | Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 7.1% | 39% | below the Colorado share |
| At or near an intersection | 37% | 32% | above the Colorado share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 17% | 21% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A drinking driver | 36% | 34% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Speeding | 35% | 35% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.8% | 9.8% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 57% | 54% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Hit-and-run | 13% | 6.1% | above the Colorado share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 21% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 23% | 14% | above the Colorado share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Adams County, Colorado
- How many people died in car accidents in Adams County in 2024?
- 84 people died in 79 fatal crashes in Adams County, Colorado, in 2024, 31.3% more than in 2023. That is 15.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Adams County?
- US 287 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Adams County from 2015 to 2024: 45, with 47 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Adams County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 42 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Adams County involved a drinking driver?
- 214 of 591 fatal crashes in Adams County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 36%, against 34% across Colorado.
Other counties in Colorado with a page
- El Paso County
- Denver County
- Weld County
- Arapahoe County
- Jefferson County
- Larimer County
- Pueblo County
- Boulder County
- Douglas County
- Mesa County
- La Plata County
- Garfield County
All fatal crashes in Colorado, with every county ranked.
Where the Adams County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Adams County (county code 1). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/colorado/adams-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”