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 113 ML

Good

Over: DRAW

11.4 MI NORTH OF JCT SH 1, Logan, CO

Built 2019 Load: 87.5 t ADT: 1,100

AIRPORT ROAD

Good

Over: SPRING CREEK

0.15 MI W OF ACADEMY BLVD, El Paso, CO

Built 2022 Load: 87.5 t ADT: 10,017

Harmony Rd

Good

Over: Timnath Reservoir Outlet

20ft E of Three Bell Pkwy, Larimer, CO

Built 2016 Load: 87.5 t ADT: 24,815

County Road 17

Good

Over: Dry Creek

0.5 Mi N of Co Rd 4E, Larimer, CO

Built 1997 Load: 87.8 t ADT: 2,409

US 24 ML

Good

Over: SHIELDS GULCH

5.5 MI NE OF JCT US 285, Chaffee, CO

Built 1937 Load: 87.8 t ADT: 6,700

TOMICHI ROAD

Good

Over: RUSSELLVILLE GULCH

.15 MI E RUSSELLVILLE RD, Douglas, CO

Built 2004 Load: 88.0 t ADT: 565

KIPLING STREET

Good

Over: CROKE CANAL

.06 MI N OF W 72ND AVE, Jefferson, CO

Built 2002 Load: 88.5 t ADT: 15,571

County Road 27

Good

Over: Buckhorn Creek

8.5 Mi NW of CR38E, Larimer, CO

Built 2015 Load: 88.6 t ADT: 591

Cty Rd17 (Shields)

Good

Over: Cache La Poudre River

0.5 Mi N of Vine Dr-CR48, Larimer, CO

Built 2015 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 8,674

COUNTY ROAD U29

Good

Over: DRY CREEK

1 MI S OF SH 14, San Miguel, CO

Built 1991 Load: 89.4 t ADT: 3

WEST MONUMENT CREE

Good

Over: WEST MONUMENT CREEK

0.5 MI SOUTHWEST OF PINE, El Paso, CO

Built 1980 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 50

MARTINEZ RD.

Good

Over: E. PLUM CREEK

0.5 MI S OF I-25 TOMAH, Douglas, CO

Built 1960 Load: 89.8 t

US 6 ML

Good

Over: PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS

5.7 MI E OF JCT I 70, Summit, CO

Built 1982 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 8,000

SH 470 ML

Good

Over: HIGHLINE CANAL

.5 M E OF JCT US 85, Douglas, CO

Built 1984 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 81,000

SH 340 ML

Good

Over: BUFFALO CANYON CREEK

7.5 MI E OF JCT US 6 FRUI, Mesa, CO

Built 1950 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 10,000

US 285 ML

Good

Over: DRAW

25 MI S OF PONCHA SPRINGS, Saguache, CO

Built 1970 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 3,200

56TH AVE.

Good

Over: BIKE PATH AND OVFLW

0.2 MI WEST OF TOWER RD, Denver, CO

Built 2015 Load: 90.3 t ADT: 29,465

SH 109 ML

Good

Over: SMITH CANYON

22 MI SOUT OF LA JUNTA, Otero, CO

Built 1973 Load: 90.3 t ADT: 350

US 350 ML

Good

Over: DRAW

8.5 MI NE OF JCT US 160, Las Animas, CO

Built 2013 Load: 90.4 t ADT: 710

US 287 ML

Good

Over: PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS

3.95 MI N OF US 36, Adams, CO

Built 1999 Load: 90.5 t ADT: 27,000

WINDHOVER LN

Good

Over: LOCAL DRAINAGE

JUST S OF HANCOCK EXPWY, El Paso, CO

Built 2001 Load: 90.9 t ADT: 507

CHESTNUT STREET

Good

Over: DOUGLAS CREEK

JUST NORTH OF FILLMORE ST, El Paso, CO

Built 2018 Load: 91.0 t ADT: 5,970

144TH AVE

Good

Over: BIG DRY CREEK

0.4 MI E OF WASHINGTON ST, Adams, CO

Built 2021 Load: 91.4 t ADT: 12,054

US 50 ML

Good

Over: SQUAW CREEK

EAST OF CIMARRON, Montrose, CO

Built 1955 Load: 91.8 t ADT: 4,300

CENTERRA PKWY

Good

Over: Future Bike Trail

1.2 MI N OF KENDALL ST, Larimer, CO

Built 2007 Load: 91.8 t ADT: 9,904

County Road 20

Good

Over: Riverside Canal

0.7 Mi N of Co Rd W, Morgan, CO

Built 2009 Load: 91.9 t ADT: 35

SNOWDRIFT LANE

Good

Over: PEDESTRIAN / SKIER

CITY STREET - SNOWDRIFT, San Miguel, CO

Built 1990 Load: 91.9 t ADT: 41

County Road W

Good

Over: Riverside Canal

0.7 Mi E Co Rd 21, Morgan, CO

Built 2006 Load: 93.2 t ADT: 169

SH 14 ML

Good

Over: LARIMER CO CANAL

4.4 MI E OF JCT I 25, Weld, CO

Built 1990 Load: 93.8 t ADT: 10,000

COUNTY ROAD 77

Good

Over: JEFFERSON CREEK

0.1 MI E OF US285, Park, CO

Built 2006 Load: 93.9 t ADT: 446

I 70 FRONTAGE RD

Good

Over: CLEAR CREEK SR

W inter. of Idaho Springs, Clear Creek, CO

Built 2010 Load: 94.0 t ADT: 36,000

COUNTY ROAD K

Good

Over: GRAND VALLEY CANAL

.7 MI E OF RD 21, Mesa, CO

Built 1992 Load: 94.0 t ADT: 1,651

SH 96 ML

Good

Over: RUSH CREEK

8.8 M E OF CUSTER-PUEBLO, Pueblo, CO

Built 2019 Load: 94.3 t ADT: 970

US 24 ML

Good

Over: CLEAR CREEK RES OUTLET

2.1 MI E OF GRANITE, Chaffee, CO

Built 1983 Load: 95.6 t ADT: 2,700

County Road 53

Good

Over: South Platte Rvr Ovrflw

1.5 MI NO OF JCT US 34, Weld, CO

Built 2020 Load: 95.6 t ADT: 4,689

COUNTY LINE RD

Good

Over: LOCAL DRAINAGE

0.35 MI EAST OF PEORIA ST, Douglas, CO

Built 2002 Load: 95.9 t ADT: 4,393

SH 13 ML

Good

Over: MILK CREEK

20 Mi S OF CRAIG, Moffat, CO

Built 1977 Load: 96.0 t ADT: 1,500

SH 59 ML

Good

Over: PETERSON CANAL

2.2 MI NORTH OF JCT I-76, Sedgwick, CO

Built 2008 Load: 96.6 t ADT: 560

CASTLE OAK DRIVE

Good

Over: MCMURDO GULCH

0.2 MI W PLEASANT VIEW DR, Douglas, CO

Built 2019 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 2,205

CO RD 10A/CTNPASRD

Good

Over: GYPSUM CREEK

0.9 MI W OF VALLEY ROAD, Eagle, CO

Built 2021 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 632

BOCA RATON HEIGHTS

Good

Over: SAND CREEK

0.1 MI N OF INDIAN VILL, El Paso, CO

Built 2004 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 1,512

SH 13 ML

Good

Over: GOVERNMENT CREEK

1.3 MI N OF JCT US 6-RIFL, Garfield, CO

Built 1987 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 8,800

SH 121 ML_WADS BLV

Good

Over: UNNAMED DRAINAGE

0.6 MI N OF JCT US6, Jefferson, CO

Built 2014 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 47,000

US 285 ML

Good

Over: WILD LIFE CROSSING

SCHAEFFERS CROSSING, Jefferson, CO

Built 2010 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 17,000

RIVERSIDE PARKWAY

Good

Over: LOCAL DRAINAGE

At Winters Ave, Mesa, CO

Built 2010 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 9,151

F.5 ROAD

Good

Over: LEWIS WASH

.8 Mi E of RD 30, Mesa, CO

Built 2019 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 1,231

US 50 ML

Good

Over: DRAW

5 MI E OF LAS ANIMAS, Bent, CO

Built 1983 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 2,600

COUNTY ROAD 9

Good

Over: LAKE FORK

Near Inlet TurquoiseLk, Lake, CO

Built 2016 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 183

County Road 5

Good

Over: Fossil Cr Resv Outlet

1.5 Mi N of SH392, Larimer, CO

Built 2013 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 12,114

SH 10 ML

Good

Over: DRAW

7.1 MI E OF WALSENBURG, Huerfano, CO

Built 1984 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 390

Showing 8,401-8,450 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.