Speeding was a significant factor in traffic fatalities across Colorado last year, contributing to 237 deaths, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Over the past five years, speeding-related crashes have resulted in 1,274 fatalities statewide. Data also show that pedestrians and bicyclists are particularly at risk from speeding drivers, especially in urban areas and on neighborhood streets. Since 2016, deaths among these vulnerable road users have increased by 34%, while passenger vehicle occupant deaths have risen by less than 3%.
To address this issue, CDOT has launched a new public outreach campaign with support from advocacy groups, victims’ families, and law enforcement agencies. The initiative includes infographics, posters, and yard signs distributed throughout the state to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding for all road users. Research highlighted by the campaign indicates that as driving speed increases, so does the risk of serious injury or death for pedestrians: “The average risk of death for a pedestrian reaches 25% at 32 MPH and triples to 75% at 50 MPH,” according to CDOT.
Speeding surpassed both impaired driving (215 deaths) and unbuckled crashes (189 deaths) as a leading cause of traffic fatalities last year in Colorado. Authorities emphasize that unsafe speeds not only threaten those behind the wheel but also everyone sharing the road. Enforcement efforts are being intensified on roads and highways considered most sensitive due to high crash rates.
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 with 23. El Paso County has consistently ranked among the top five counties for speeding citations since 2019 and reported a total of 78 traffic fatalities along with more than 450 serious injuries last year.
“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.”
A study from AAA Colorado found that driving faster does not significantly reduce travel time; for example, increasing speed from 75 MPH to 80 MPH saves only about five minutes over a distance of 100 miles. On average, motorists save just twenty-six seconds per day by exceeding speed limits.
According to CDOT’s latest Driver Behavior Report for 2025, seventy-one percent of surveyed drivers admitted they sometimes exceed speed limits on main highways; 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, Colorado State Patrol troopers investigated more than five hundred sixty fatal and injury crashes involving speeding drivers.
