Pedestrian deaths rise sharply in Colorado, CDOT says
Pedestrian fatalities have increased sharply in Colorado in recent years, including 127 deaths in 2025, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The total is nearly double the number of pedestrian deaths reported a decade earlier, and pedestrians now account for nearly one-fifth of all traffic fatalities in the state, CDOT officials said.
As of early March 2026, Colorado had recorded 12 pedestrian fatalities.
Transportation officials said the shift to Daylight Saving Time can create additional risks for pedestrians and bicyclists during darker morning commutes. The time change brings more daylight in the evening but pushes sunrise about an hour later, leaving many pedestrians, including schoolchildren and commuters, traveling in low-light conditions.
“The disturbing rise in pedestrian fatalities is not just a statistic - each one could be any of us, crossing the street over the course of our day,” said Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “When you’re behind the wheel, respect traffic safety laws and be mindful that doing so can save lives.”
New data from CDOT shows pedestrian fatalities in Colorado increased by 98.4 percent between 2015 and 2025.
Most of the deaths occurred in the state’s most populous counties. Between 2020 and 2025, five counties accounted for the largest number of pedestrian fatalities:
- Denver: 140
- Adams: 99
- El Paso: 83
- Arapahoe: 79
- Jefferson: 58
State transportation officials are promoting a pedestrian safety campaign encouraging drivers to slow down and remain alert for people walking or bicycling, particularly in neighborhoods and urban areas.
The campaign also highlights that more than 70 percent of pedestrian deaths occur after dark.
Transportation officials recommend that drivers yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, remain alert in residential areas and avoid impaired or distracted driving. Pedestrians are encouraged to use marked crosswalks, follow traffic signals and remain attentive when crossing streets.
CDOT officials also said the state is prioritizing infrastructure improvements intended to reduce pedestrian and bicycle crashes, including improved crosswalk visibility, better-connected bike lanes and pedestrian-focused traffic signals.
More information about pedestrian and bicycle safety in Colorado is available at https://www.codot.gov/programs/bikeped.
