State profile · Below median Poor share

Colorado bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in Colorado.

8,965
Public bridges
35.7%
Good condition
4.8%
Poor condition

Colorado holds 8,965 public highway bridges (#27 of 52 by inventory) with a 4.82% Poor share (#34 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 4.8% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 19 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

8,965

Public highway bridges in Colorado

Good Condition

35.7%

3,197 bridges rated 7-9

-14.3pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

4.8%

432 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-2.7pp vs national avg 7.5%

Colorado vs national bridge condition

Colorado - Good condition share 35.7%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

Colorado - Poor-condition share 16.1%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

Colorado in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Colorado has 8,965 bridges and a 4.8% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #19 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Colorado has 8,965 bridges and a 4.8% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #19 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

Colorado vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

8,965 27th of 54 higher than 27 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for Colorado

The highlighted point is Colorado: 8,965 bridges and 4.82% in Poor condition, rank #19 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Colorado on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Connecticut: 4,365 bridges · 4.72% Poor
  • Ohio: 26,729 bridges · 4.74% Poor
  • Colorado: 8,965 bridges · 4.82% Poor
  • Idaho: 4,616 bridges · 4.90% Poor
  • Indiana: 19,495 bridges · 5.22% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Colorado

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 8,965 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Colorado’s inventory

State agency holds 38.8% of the 8,965 public highway bridges filed under Colorado in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Colorado’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 8.5% of the 8,965 bridges with a recorded original year in Colorado. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Colorado35.7%59.5%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Colorado (FHWA NBI)

Counties (64)

Adams 535 Alamosa 16 Arapahoe 391 Archuleta 44 Baca 106 Bent 68 Boulder 311 Broomfield 66 Chaffee 84 Cheyenne 61 Clear Creek 77 Conejos 62 Costilla 39 Crowley 28 Custer 20 Delta 64 Denver 458 Dolores 28 Douglas 263 Eagle 174 El Paso 686 Elbert 85 Fremont 137 Garfield 167 Gilpin 19 Grand 88 Gunnison 100 Hinsdale 31 Huerfano 94 Jackson 47 Jefferson 464 Kiowa 31 Kit Carson 130 La Plata 102 Lake 17 Larimer 559 Las Animas 207 Lincoln 129 Logan 182 Mesa 319 Mineral 26 Moffat 80 Montezuma 61 Montrose 118 Morgan 192 Otero 195 Ouray 39 Park 55 Phillips 27 Pitkin 62 Prowers 137 Pueblo 264 Rio Blanco 54 Rio Grande 71 Routt 96 Saguache 41 San Juan 13 San Miguel 59 Sedgwick 64 Summit 57 Teller 27 Washington 75 Weld 614 Yuma 49

Colorado vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below Colorado on the same metric.

CT

Connecticut

4.72% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$4,365

OH

Ohio

4.74% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$26,729
Selected

CO

Colorado

4.82% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$8,965

ID

Idaho

4.90% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$4,616

IN

Indiana

5.22% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$19,495

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Colorado

Six lowest-condition bridges in Colorado, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

144TH AVENUE

Poor

Over: LOST CREEK

1.2 MILES WEST OF SH 79, Adams, CO

Built 1960 Load: 0.0 t

County Road 79.0

Poor

Over: Salado Creek

2.8 Mi N of CR 64, Las Animas, CO

Built 2020 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 2

County Road 59

Poor

Over: N. Sterling Outlet Canal

0.3 Mi N of Co Rd 58, Logan, CO

Built 1940 Load: 1.4 t ADT: 6

COTTONWOOD ST

Poor

Over: NORTH CRESTONE CREEK

IN TOWN OF CRESTONE, Saguache, CO

Built 1991 Load: 2.3 t ADT: 65

CO Rd 32

Poor

Over: Feeder Ditch

0.28 MI E of Co Rd 75, Las Animas, CO

Built 1970 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 7

POTOMAC STREET

Poor

Over: OBRIAN CANAL

0.2 MILE NORTH OF SH 2, Adams, CO

Built 1940 Load: 3.8 t ADT: 190

All Bridges in Colorado

SH 2 ML SBND

Good

Over: US 6 ML

IN COMMERCE CITY, Adams, CO

Built 2005 Load: 11.7 t ADT: 11,000

SH 470 ML EBND

Good

Over: I 70 ML

I 70 AND SH 470 INTERSECT, Jefferson, CO

Built 1987 Load: 11.9 t ADT: 35,000

US 36 ML

Good

Over: Wolf Creek

4 MI E OF JCT. SH 79, Adams, CO

Built 2002 Load: 12.1 t ADT: 3,800

SH 96 ML

Good

Over: BESSEMER DITCH

22.5 MI E OF CUSTER-PUEBL, Pueblo, CO

Built 1950 Load: 12.1 t ADT: 5,500

County Road 36

Good

Over: Soda Creek

1.8 Mi N of Amethyst Dr, Routt, CO

Built 1979 Load: 12.2 t ADT: 922

COUNTY ROAD 4

Good

Over: HELL CREEK

0.9 MILES NORTH OF ROAD D, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1974 Load: 12.4 t ADT: 169

FDR 305

Good

Over: CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER

N CO HWY 14 W POUDRE PARK, Larimer, CO

Built 2004 Load: 12.6 t ADT: 30

RED ROCKS PARK RD

Good

Over: MT VERNON CREEK

SE ENTRANCE TO RED ROCKS, Denver, CO

Built 2014 Load: 12.6 t ADT: 2,257

I 76 ML WBND

Good

Over: PECOS STREET

1.4 MI E OF JCT 287, Adams, CO

Built 1989 Load: 12.8 t ADT: 38,500

WELD COUNTY ROAD 8

Good

Over: I 25 ML

3 MI NO OF JCT SH 7, Weld, CO

Built 2004 Load: 12.9 t ADT: 10,875

E-470 SB

Good

Over: Cherry Creek

5.13 MI FROM I 25, Douglas, CO

Built 1990 Load: 13.0 t ADT: 25,990

CO RD 53/JOLEE TRL

Good

Over: SPRING CREEK

0.1 MI E of CR 744, Gunnison, CO

Built 2012 Load: 13.0 t ADT: 168

US 160 ML

Good

Over: TRINCHERA CREEK

23.3 MI E OF JCT US 350, Las Animas, CO

Built 1999 Load: 13.0 t ADT: 170

COUNTY ROAD 23

Good

Over: TRIB. OF SPRING CREEK

500 FT SOUTH COUNTY RD. W, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1960 Load: 13.2 t ADT: 91

COUNTY ROAD FF

Good

Over: ROCKY FORD HIGHLINE CANA

.8 MI W OF CR 14, Otero, CO

Built 1966 Load: 13.2 t ADT: 26

I 76 ML EBND

Good

Over: PECOS STREET

1.4 MI E OF JCT 287, Adams, CO

Built 1989 Load: 13.7 t ADT: 38,500

County Road RR

Good

Over: Dry Willow Creek

0.95 Mi N of Co Rd 24.5, Yuma, CO

Built 1965 Load: 13.7 t ADT: 38

COUNTY ROAD NN

Good

Over: S.FORK ARIKAREE RIVER

2.4 MILES WEST OF ROAD 4, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1959 Load: 14.0 t ADT: 10

COUNTY ROAD LL

Good

Over: FARMERS OXFORD DITCH

.6 MI W OF SH 167, Otero, CO

Built 1966 Load: 14.0 t ADT: 258

County Road 64

Good

Over: Poudre Valley Canal

0.9 Mi. E. of Co. Rd. 11, Larimer, CO

Built 2003 Load: 14.2 t ADT: 1,565

US 36 EBND ML

Good

Over: I 25 ML RAMPS HOV LANES

INT. 36 and I25, Adams, CO

Built 1994 Load: 14.3 t ADT: 168,000

COUNTY ROAD SS

Good

Over: FT. LYON CANAL

.5 MI E OF CR 3, Prowers, CO

Built 1960 Load: 14.4 t ADT: 167

US 6 ML

Good

Over: CLEAR CREEK

0.1 Mi S of SH58, Jefferson, CO

Built 1999 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 28,000

WINDING ROAD 788

Good

Over: MINERAL CREEK

43 MI. S.W. GUNNISON CO., Hinsdale, CO

Built 1957 Load: 14.6 t ADT: 47

RAMP/WASHINGTON ST

Good

Over: RAMP TO SB I-25 R

MOUSETRAP IN DENVER, Denver, CO

Built 1993 Load: 14.6 t ADT: 121,000

HUMBOLDT ST

Good

Over: EAST HARVARD GULCH

HUMBOLDT & E HARVARD, Denver, CO

Built 1967 Load: 14.8 t ADT: 259

County Road 0

Good

Over: Trib. of Landsman Creek

0.15 Mi E of Co Rd GG, Yuma, CO

Built 1964 Load: 14.9 t ADT: 33

WINDING FOREST RD.

Good

Over: FALL CREEK

18 MI W OF TELLURIDE, San Miguel, CO

Built 1996 Load: 15.2 t ADT: 63

NO DATA ENTERED

Good

Over: RESOLUTION CREEK

NO DATA ENTERED, Eagle, CO

Built 2011 Load: 15.2 t ADT: 50

US 36 ML

Good

Over: KIOWA CREEK

12.8 MI E OF JCT I 70, Adams, CO

Built 2000 Load: 15.2 t ADT: 3,400

COUNTY ROAD 38A

Good

Over: LA GARITA CREEK

.6 MI N OF CR 32A, Saguache, CO

Built 1985 Load: 15.2 t ADT: 121

GRAND AVENUE

Good

Over: NORTH INLET

E end of Grand Avenue, Grand, CO

Built 2001 Load: 15.3 t ADT: 351

LAFAYETTE ST

Good

Over: EAST HARVARD GULCH

LAFAYETTE AT HARVARD GL, Denver, CO

Built 1967 Load: 15.5 t ADT: 258

COUNTY ROAD 53

Good

Over: SMOKY HILL RIVER

0.8 MILES SOUTH OF ROAD G, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1965 Load: 15.5 t ADT: 51

SH 1 ML

Good

Over: BOX ELDER CREEK

IN WELLINGTON, Larimer, CO

Built 1968 Load: 15.7 t ADT: 5,200

SH 83 ML

Good

Over: SULPHUR GULCH

8.1 MI N OF JCT SH 86, Douglas, CO

Built 1981 Load: 15.7 t ADT: 44,000

COUNTY ROAD 8S

Good

Over: EMPIRE CANAL

JUST E OF CR 5E, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1992 Load: 15.9 t ADT: 377

COUNTY ROAD G

Good

Over: SMOKY HILL RIVER

0.5 MILES WEST OF ROAD 55, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1965 Load: 16.0 t ADT: 54

SANTA FE DR.

Good

Over: I25 ML

JUST W OF FRONT ST., Douglas, CO

Built 2002 Load: 16.1 t ADT: 9,179

SH 2 ML

Good

Over: UP RR RTD LR

IN DENVER, Denver, CO

Built 2002 Load: 16.2 t ADT: 49,000

US 160 ML

Good

Over: SAN FRANCISCO CREEK

15.2 MI E OF JCT US 350, Las Animas, CO

Built 1999 Load: 16.2 t ADT: 290

75TH AVE

Good

Over: LITTLE DRY CREEK

75TH AVE E OF SHERIDAN, Adams, CO

Built 1988 Load: 16.2 t ADT: 817

FRANKLIN ST

Good

Over: EAST HARVARD GULCH

FRANKLIN & E HARVARD, Denver, CO

Built 1967 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 574

SH 14 ML

Good

Over: LAKE CANAL

0.85 MI W OF JCT I-25, Larimer, CO

Built 1948 Load: 16.4 t ADT: 32,000

COUNTY ROAD BB

Good

Over: BEAVER CREEK

0.3 MILES EAST OF HWY 385, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1965 Load: 16.7 t ADT: 101

County Road 3

Good

Over: Bijou Canal

0.5 Mi N of Co Rd U, Morgan, CO

Built 1965 Load: 16.8 t ADT: 32

Brown Trout Lane

Good

Over: Big Thompson River

0.2 Mi S of US Hwy 34, Larimer, CO

Built 1977 Load: 16.9 t ADT: 2

Access Road

Good

Over: Big Thompson River

60 Ft N of US Hwy 34, Larimer, CO

Built 1977 Load: 16.9 t ADT: 25

COUNTY ROAD 32

Good

Over: TRIB. SMOKY HILL RIVER

0.8 MILES SOUTH OF ROAD B, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1968 Load: 17.0 t ADT: 33

COUNTY ROAD 59

Good

Over: SAND CREEK

0.9 MILES NORTH OF ROAD D, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1969 Load: 17.1 t ADT: 44

Showing 5,351-5,400 of 8,965 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | Retired SD term explained →
Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

Check Your Daily Bridges

How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

What to do with this

Use Colorado's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Colorado and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Colorado Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.