The Deadliest Highway Stretches in Colorado
Outdated infrastructure, traffic congestion, extreme weather, and perilous road conditions — it only takes one of those elements to make a road dangerous, according to the National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP).
Outdated infrastructure could include faded road lines, confusing traffic signs, missing guardrails, potholes, or broken lights. Dense traffic leads to aggressive and risky driving. Some states frequently experience inclement weather conditions, especially snow and ice storms. And steep or curvy roads can present their own set of hazards.
Nearly 41,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes on U.S. roads in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Colorado, some 720 lost their lives.
What Are the Deadliest Stretches of Highway in Colorado?
Some of Colorado’s roads are riskier than others. More often than not, they’re interstates and highways. A few are so dangerous that they’ve earned the distinction of being the “deadliest.”
However, the issue is usually not the entire length of the road but a particularly treacherous stretch. Here are some of the most perilous.
I-25 From Exit 138 To Exit 132A
After analyzing 1,706 deadly crashes in Colorado from 2018 to 2020, MoneyGeek identified this 4.9-mile stretch as one of the state’s most lethal. It averaged 1.6 crashes per mile, with eight accidents resulting in nine fatalities, according to the report.
I-70 From Exit 277 To Exit 282
Also mentioned in the MoneyGeek report is a 4.9-mile stretch of I-70 near Aurora and Commerce City. Between 2018 and 2020, seven people died there in seven crashes.
U.S. Hwy. 287 From the Colorado Hwy. 14 Intersection To Wyoming
An October 2023 Coloradoan report highlighted this stretch of U.S. Highway 287, beginning where it intersects with Colorado Highway 14 north of Fort Collins and ending at the Wyoming state border. In the five years prior to the report, there were 570 crashes, 116 of which caused injuries and 15 of which ended in fatalities.
U.S. Hwy. 60 Between Campion and U.S. Hwy. 85
The results of a recent Car Insurance Comparison study revealed that a 20-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 60 running between Campion and U.S. Highway 85 in Weld County is among the state’s most problematic roadways. It averages 11 fatal crashes per year. This highway is remarkably long, beginning in Arizona and ending in Virginia.
The Million Dollar Highway
The 23-mile Million Dollar Highway, formerly U.S. Highway 550, is considered not only one of the state’s most scenic highways but also one of its most dangerous.
Its elevation — which reaches 11,000 feet in some areas — and sharp curves (with no guardrails in some spots) make it a risky route. Each year, some 40 crashes occur on the road, with an average of seven fatalities. The top contributing factors include careless driving, adverse weather, and wildlife entering traffic.
U.S. Hwy. 160
East-west U.S. Highway 160, located in southern Colorado, sees an average of 11 fatalities caused by crashes per year. The highway is particularly risky for truck drivers.
From 2011 to 2015, there were 49 semi-truck crashes on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass, resulting in two fatalities, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Most of these crashes took place on a switchback close to the Wolf Creek scenic lookout area.
Don’t Let Danger Dampen Your Driving Experience
Colorado has some of the most breathtaking highways in the country. Although many of these picturesque roads may be treacherous under certain conditions, it doesn’t mean they should be avoided altogether. Drivers need only be mindful of the weather, traffic, and rules of the road to enjoy sightseeing along these nationally renowned passages.
Contact our Denver Car Accident Law Firm Today For Help
For more information please contact Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a Denver car accident lawyer.
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