Speeding was a factor in 237 fatalities on Colorado roads last year, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Over the past five years, speeding-related crashes have resulted in 1,274 deaths statewide. CDOT notes that speeding poses a particular threat to pedestrians and bicyclists, especially in urban areas and neighborhood streets. Since 2016, pedestrian and bicyclist deaths have increased by 34% in Colorado, while passenger vehicle occupant deaths have risen by less than 3%.
In response to these trends, CDOT has launched a public outreach campaign with support from advocates, victims, and law enforcement. The initiative uses infographics, posters, and yard signs distributed across the state to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding. The campaign emphasizes research showing that as vehicle speed increases, so does the risk of serious injury or death for pedestrians: at 32 MPH there is a 25% chance of fatality for a pedestrian struck by a car; this risk rises to 75% at 50 MPH.
Speeding surpassed both impaired driving (215 deaths) and unbuckled crashes (189 deaths) as leading factors in traffic fatalities last year. CDOT is working to enforce speed limits more strictly throughout Colorado’s roads and highways.
Adams County recorded the highest number of speeding-related traffic deaths in 2024 with 32 fatalities, followed by El Paso County with 25 and Denver County with 23. El Paso County has been among the top five counties for speeding citations since 2019 based on data from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), which also reported that El Paso had the second-highest total traffic deaths and injuries last year—78 fatalities and over 450 serious injuries.
“Speeding drivers put everyone on Colorado roads at risk, especially vulnerable road users like pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists,” said CDOT’s Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “A common misconception is that speeding mainly occurs on highways, but the truth is, it happens on all roads. So, whether you’re on a highway, city street or rural mountain road, slow down and always watch for pedestrians. You could save a life.”
The belief that speeding saves significant time is challenged by findings from AAA Colorado: traveling at 80 MPH instead of 75 MPH only saves about five minutes over a distance of 100 miles; overall daily savings average just 26 seconds per driver.
According to CDOT’s most recent Driver Behavior Report for 2025, approximately seven out of ten drivers admitted exceeding speed limits on main highways at least occasionally; nearly half reported doing so on city streets.
“Speeding puts you in a lose-lose situation and is never worth the gamble. Not only does speeding put you at risk of a ticket, but it also increases the likelihood of a crash,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Running late for work, school, an appointment or your next obligation should never be an excuse to speed or drive recklessly. Remember that speeding inevitably puts you and everyone else at a much greater risk of death or serious injury.”
In total during 2024 CSP troopers investigated more than 560 fatal or injury crashes involving excessive speed.
