Fatal crashes in Arapahoe County, Colorado
In 2024, 55 people died in 55 fatal crashes in Arapahoe County, 21.4% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 464 fatal crashes and 501 deaths, the 5th most of any county in Colorado.
8.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado in 2024; 7.7 against 11.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 666,918, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Colorado.
Deaths in Arapahoe County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 55 | 55 |
| 2023 | 63 | 70 |
| 2022 | 58 | 62 |
| 2021 | 47 | 51 |
| 2020 | 48 | 52 |
| 2019 | 32 | 36 |
| 2018 | 45 | 47 |
| 2017 | 42 | 45 |
| 2016 | 38 | 46 |
| 2015 | 36 | 37 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Arapahoe County
I-70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Arapahoe County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 39 deaths. The 12 roads listed held 43% of all fatal crashes in Arapahoe County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 4 US routes, 5 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-70 | 33 | 39 | 11 | |
| 2 | State Highway 30 | 33 | 37 | 12 | |
| 3 | I-225 | 24 | 29 | 10 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 83 | 24 | 25 | 6 | |
| 5 | US 40 | 22 | 22 | 10 | |
| 6 | US 285 | 19 | 19 | 6 | |
| 7 | State Highway 88 | 11 | 12 | 4 | |
| 8 | US 85 | 9 | 10 | 0 | |
| 9 | I-25 | 7 | 8 | 1 | |
| 10 | State Highway 177 | 6 | 6 | 0 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 470 | 6 | 6 | 2 | |
| 12 | US 36 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Aurora 252, Centennial 30, Englewood 24, Littleton 16, Greenwood Village 9, Sheridan 5, Cherry Hills Village 5. 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 Arapahoe County
The heaviest slot is Monday, 4 to 8 pm, with 23 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.1 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 23 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.0 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.2%
- Feb6.9%
- Mar6.7%
- Apr8.2%
- May8.0%
- Jun8.2%
- Jul10.1%
- Aug8.4%
- Sep10.3%
- Oct11.2%
- Nov8.2%
- Dec7.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Arapahoe County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a pedestrian in 22%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a rollover in 8.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 200 | 43% |
| Pedestrian | 102 | 22% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 90 | 19% |
| Rollover | 38 | 8.2% |
| Cyclist | 15 | 3.2% |
| Other | 12 | 2.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 7 | 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 Arapahoe County compare with Colorado
A drinking driver was recorded in 36% of fatal crashes in Arapahoe County from 2015 to 2024, above the Colorado share of 34%; speeding in 35%, about the Colorado share; a hit-and-run in 9.5%, above the Colorado share of 6.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 9.3%, about the Colorado share; 54% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the Colorado share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Colorado. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Arapahoe | Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 9.9% | 39% | below the Colorado share |
| At or near an intersection | 45% | 32% | above the Colorado share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 14% | 21% | below the Colorado share |
| A drinking driver | 36% | 34% | above the Colorado share |
| Speeding | 35% | 35% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.3% | 9.8% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 54% | 54% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.5% | 6.1% | above the Colorado share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 21% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 21% | 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 Arapahoe County
- How many people died in car accidents in Arapahoe County in 2024?
- 55 people died in 55 fatal crashes in Arapahoe County, Colorado, in 2024, 21.4% fewer than in 2023. That is 8.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado.
- What is the deadliest road in Arapahoe County?
- I-70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Arapahoe County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 39 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Arapahoe County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Monday, 4 to 8 pm, with 23 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Arapahoe County involved a drinking driver?
- 167 of 464 fatal crashes in Arapahoe 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
- Adams County
- Denver County
- Weld 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 Arapahoe County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Arapahoe County (county code 5). 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. The full method.