Fatal crashes in Boulder County, Colorado
In 2024, 23 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Boulder County, 17.9% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 233 fatal crashes and 255 deaths, the 9th most of any county in Colorado.
7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado in 2024; 7.8 against 11.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 330,262, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Colorado.
Deaths in Boulder County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | 23 |
| 2023 | 24 | 28 |
| 2022 | 31 | 34 |
| 2021 | 31 | 33 |
| 2020 | 14 | 16 |
| 2019 | 25 | 26 |
| 2018 | 19 | 21 |
| 2017 | 28 | 31 |
| 2016 | 21 | 24 |
| 2015 | 18 | 19 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Boulder County
US 287 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Boulder County from 2015 to 2024: 47, with 57 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 59% of all fatal crashes in Boulder County from 2015 to 2024; 2 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 | US 287 | 47 | 57 | 19 | |
| 2 | US 36 | 29 | 31 | 11 | |
| 3 | State Highway 119 | 26 | 29 | 9 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 66 | 13 | 14 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 7 | 8 | 9 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 72 | 8 | 8 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 93 | 6 | 7 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Longmont 51, Boulder 24, Lafayette 13, Louisville 7. 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 Boulder County
The heaviest slot is Monday, noon to 4 pm, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 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 | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.6%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar6.4%
- Apr6.9%
- May6.9%
- Jun9.9%
- Jul14.6%
- Aug7.7%
- Sep9.0%
- Oct9.4%
- Nov8.2%
- Dec7.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Boulder County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 45%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a pedestrian in 14%, a cyclist in 9.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 105 | 45% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 44 | 19% |
| Pedestrian | 33 | 14% |
| Cyclist | 22 | 9.4% |
| Rollover | 19 | 8.2% |
| Other | 9 | 3.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.4% |
| 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 Boulder County compare with Colorado
A drinking driver was recorded in 31% of fatal crashes in Boulder County from 2015 to 2024, below the Colorado share of 34%; speeding in 29%, below the Colorado share of 35%; a hit-and-run in 2.1%, below the Colorado share of 6.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.7%, below the Colorado share of 9.8%; 46% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Colorado share of 54%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Colorado. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Boulder | Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 41% | 39% | above the Colorado share |
| At or near an intersection | 38% | 32% | above the Colorado share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 16% | 21% | below the Colorado share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 34% | below the Colorado share |
| Speeding | 29% | 35% | below the Colorado share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.7% | 9.8% | below the Colorado share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 54% | below the Colorado share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.1% | 6.1% | below the Colorado share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 21% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 13% | 14% | below 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 Boulder County
- How many people died in car accidents in Boulder County in 2024?
- 23 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Boulder County, Colorado, in 2024, 17.9% fewer than in 2023. That is 7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado.
- What is the deadliest road in Boulder County?
- US 287 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Boulder County from 2015 to 2024: 47, with 57 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Boulder County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Monday, noon to 4 pm, with 12 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Boulder County involved a drinking driver?
- 72 of 233 fatal crashes in Boulder County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 31%, against 34% across Colorado.
Other counties in Colorado with a page
- El Paso County
- Adams County
- Denver County
- Weld County
- Arapahoe County
- Jefferson County
- Larimer County
- Pueblo County
- Douglas County
- Mesa County
- La Plata County
- Garfield County
All fatal crashes in Colorado, with every county ranked.
Where the Boulder County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Boulder County (county code 13). 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.