Fatal crashes in Jefferson County, Colorado
In 2024, 54 people died in 52 fatal crashes in Jefferson County, 14.9% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 450 fatal crashes and 478 deaths, the 6th most of any county in Colorado.
9.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado in 2024; 8.3 against 11.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 578,533, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Colorado.
Deaths in Jefferson County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52 | 54 |
| 2023 | 47 | 47 |
| 2022 | 49 | 49 |
| 2021 | 50 | 52 |
| 2020 | 41 | 43 |
| 2019 | 45 | 51 |
| 2018 | 36 | 38 |
| 2017 | 35 | 41 |
| 2016 | 45 | 48 |
| 2015 | 50 | 55 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Jefferson County
State Highway 121 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024: 56, with 58 deaths. The 12 roads listed held 58% of all fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 8 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 | State Highway 121 | 56 | 58 | 16 | |
| 2 | US 6 | 36 | 37 | 7 | |
| 3 | I-70 | 31 | 39 | 11 | |
| 4 | US 40 | 30 | 30 | 12 | |
| 5 | State Highway 391 | 27 | 28 | 11 | no page |
| 6 | US 285 | 26 | 31 | 8 | |
| 7 | State Highway 95 | 16 | 16 | 6 | |
| 8 | State Highway 72 | 12 | 15 | 6 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 470 | 10 | 11 | 5 | |
| 10 | State Highway 74 | 7 | 8 | 1 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 8 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 93 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Lakewood 145, Arvada 40, Westminster 29, Wheat Ridge 23, Golden 17. 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 Jefferson County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 24 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 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 | 2.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 24 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.6%
- Feb5.3%
- Mar6.9%
- Apr7.8%
- May9.6%
- Jun9.8%
- Jul12.7%
- Aug10.4%
- Sep10.7%
- Oct8.4%
- Nov4.9%
- Dec8.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Jefferson County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 36%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a pedestrian in 18%, a rollover in 12%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 164 | 36% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 111 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 80 | 18% |
| Rollover | 55 | 12% |
| Cyclist | 18 | 4.0% |
| Other | 18 | 4.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 0.9% |
| 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 Jefferson County compare with Colorado
A drinking driver was recorded in 34% of fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024, about the Colorado share; speeding in 37%, above the Colorado share of 35%; a hit-and-run in 6.7%, about the Colorado share; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.1%, below the Colorado share of 9.8%; 49% 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.
| Jefferson | Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 18% | 39% | below the Colorado share |
| At or near an intersection | 35% | 32% | above the Colorado share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 12% | 21% | below the Colorado share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 34% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Speeding | 37% | 35% | above the Colorado share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.1% | 9.8% | below the Colorado share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 54% | below the Colorado share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.7% | 6.1% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A motorcycle involved | 31% | 21% | above the Colorado share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 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 Jefferson County
- How many people died in car accidents in Jefferson County in 2024?
- 54 people died in 52 fatal crashes in Jefferson County, Colorado, in 2024, 14.9% more than in 2023. That is 9.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado.
- What is the deadliest road in Jefferson County?
- State Highway 121 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024: 56, with 58 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Jefferson County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 24 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Jefferson County involved a drinking driver?
- 154 of 450 fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, against 34% across Colorado.
Other counties in Colorado with a page
- El Paso County
- Adams County
- Denver County
- Weld County
- Arapahoe 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 Jefferson County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Jefferson County (county code 59). 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.