Fatal crashes in Denver County, Colorado
In 2024, 63 people died in 62 fatal crashes in Denver County, Colorado, 17.1% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 581 fatal crashes and 608 deaths, the 3rd most of 64 counties in Colorado.
8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado in 2024; 8.5 against 11.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 729,019, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Colorado.
Deaths in Denver County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 62 | 63 |
| 2023 | 71 | 76 |
| 2022 | 71 | 74 |
| 2021 | 64 | 68 |
| 2020 | 50 | 51 |
| 2019 | 57 | 61 |
| 2018 | 58 | 60 |
| 2017 | 48 | 49 |
| 2016 | 49 | 54 |
| 2015 | 51 | 52 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Denver County
US 40 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Denver County from 2015 to 2024: 44, with 46 deaths. The 12 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Denver County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 7 state highways. 45% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 55% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 40 | 44 | 46 | 16 | |
| 2 | State Highway 88 | 35 | 35 | 12 | |
| 3 | I-70 | 32 | 33 | 9 | |
| 4 | I-25 | 29 | 30 | 7 | |
| 5 | State Highway 2 | 28 | 31 | 13 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 95 | 23 | 25 | 11 | |
| 7 | US 85 | 13 | 15 | 6 | |
| 8 | US 287 | 10 | 10 | 2 | |
| 9 | State Highway 30 | 9 | 10 | 3 | |
| 10 | State Highway 26 | 8 | 8 | 1 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 35 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 83 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
Denver had 91% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 530 of 581.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Denver 530. 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 Denver County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 30 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 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 | 5.2 percent, 30 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 26 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.1 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.8 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 27 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.2 percent, 30 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 29 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.1%
- Feb5.7%
- Mar7.7%
- Apr8.1%
- May9.3%
- Jun9.5%
- Jul9.3%
- Aug9.8%
- Sep9.8%
- Oct10.7%
- Nov6.7%
- Dec6.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Denver County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 38%; a pedestrian in 29%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a rollover in 4.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 223 | 38% |
| Pedestrian | 167 | 29% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 108 | 19% |
| Rollover | 24 | 4.1% |
| Other | 24 | 4.1% |
| Cyclist | 23 | 4.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 12 | 2.1% |
| 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 Denver County compare with Colorado
The largest difference from Colorado: from 2015 to 2024, 0.0% of fatal crashes in Denver County were on rural roads, against 39% across Colorado. Also above the Colorado share: intersections, hit-and-runs and pedestrians. Below it: unlit roads at night and distracted drivers. 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 581 crashes.
| Denver | Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 0.0% | 39% | below the Colorado share |
| At or near an intersection | 48% | 32% | above the Colorado share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 2.4% | 21% | below the Colorado share |
| A drinking driver | 35% | 34% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Speeding | 36% | 35% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.8% | 9.8% | below the Colorado share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 54% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Hit-and-run | 16% | 6.1% | above the Colorado share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 21% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 29% | 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 Denver County, Colorado
- How many people died in car accidents in Denver County in 2024?
- 63 people died in 62 fatal crashes in Denver County, Colorado, in 2024, 17.1% fewer than in 2023. That is 8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Denver County?
- US 40 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Denver County from 2015 to 2024: 44, with 46 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Denver County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 30 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Denver County involved a drinking driver?
- 205 of 581 fatal crashes in Denver County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 35%, against 34% across Colorado.
Other counties in Colorado with a page
- El Paso County
- Adams 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 Denver County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Denver County (county code 31). 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/denver-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”