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

CR 230/BURNT MILL

Poor

Over: STINKING ARROYO

12.5 MI SW OF PUEBLO, Pueblo, CO

Built 1972 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 69

County Road 54

Poor

Over: Big Thompson River

0.7 Mi E of Co Rd 13, Weld, CO

Built 1978 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 7,403

COUNTY ROAD 11

Poor

Over: OTERO CANAL

.4 MI S OF SH 50, Otero, CO

Built 1964 Load: 24.7 t ADT: 244

US 6 ML

Poor

Over: DRAW

1.8 MI E OF JCT US 385, Phillips, CO

Built 1934 Load: 24.8 t ADT: 1,500

US 50 ML

Poor

Over: WILLOW CREEK

2.3 MI EAST OF LAMAR, Prowers, CO

Built 1936 Load: 24.8 t ADT: 2,600

County Road 40

Poor

Over: Fossil Creek Res. Inlet

0.2 Mi E of Co Rd 9, Larimer, CO

Built 1969 Load: 24.8 t ADT: 1,627

County Road 63E

Poor

Over: Little Beaver Creek

4.7 Mi N of Co Rd 44H, Larimer, CO

Built 1972 Load: 24.9 t ADT: 86

I 70 ML WBND

Poor

Over: TIMBER CREEK

11.4 MI W OF EAGLE-SUMMIT, Eagle, CO

Built 1977 Load: 25.0 t ADT: 10,000

I 76 SERVICE RD

Poor

Over: LOST CREEK SR

JUST E OF ROGGEN, Weld, CO

Built 1936 Load: 25.1 t ADT: 135

SH 300 ML

Poor

Over: CALIFORNIA GULCH

0.3 MI E OF JCT SH, Lake, CO

Built 1939 Load: 25.1 t ADT: 1,600

COUNTY ROAD 123

Poor

Over: SIX MILE CREEK

4 MI E OF MACKENZIE AVE, Fremont, CO

Built 1960 Load: 25.2 t ADT: 873

I 25 ML SBND

Poor

Over: US 160 SH 10 RR SPUR

1.15 MI N WALSENBURG BUS, Huerfano, CO

Built 1963 Load: 25.2 t ADT: 5,000

FDR 250

Poor

Over: ALAMOSA RIVER

23.5 MI SSW OF DEL NORTE, Conejos, CO

Built 1953 Load: 25.3 t ADT: 79

I 270 ML WBND

Poor

Over: DAHLIA STREET

COMMERCE CITY, Adams, CO

Built 1968 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 46,500

SH 96 ML

Poor

Over: UP RR FOUNTAIN CRK

IN PUEBLO, Pueblo, CO

Built 1954 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 15,000

US 350 ML

Poor

Over: LUNNING ARROYO

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

Built 1937 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 710

Co RD 42/42nd LN

Poor

Over: SIX MILE CREEK

1.2 MI S OF SANTE FE DR, Pueblo, CO

Built 1950 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 108

SH 94 ML

Poor

Over: BIG SPRING CREEK

2.5 MI E OF ELLICOTT, El Paso, CO

Built 1968 Load: 25.8 t ADT: 2,800

I 70 ML

Poor

Over: HARLAN STREET

IN WHEATRIDGE, Jefferson, CO

Built 1967 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 92,000

YORK STREET

Poor

Over: I 270 ML

IN COMMERCE CITY, Adams, CO

Built 1970 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 13,693

COUNTY ROAD 170

Poor

Over: EAST BIJOU CREEK

1.5 MILES W OF AGATE, Elbert, CO

Built 1919 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 14

US 50 BUSINESS

Poor

Over: SIX MILE CREEK

3.5 Mi E/ SH 231 VINELAND, Pueblo, CO

Built 1942 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 2,000

County Road 24

Poor

Over: Lupton Bottom Ditch

1.4 Mi E of Co Rd 19, Weld, CO

Built 1993 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 1,588

CIRCLE DR EB

Poor

Over: FOUNTAIN CREEK

0.5 MI NE OF I-25, El Paso, CO

Built 1963 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 16,339

Wickersham Blvd.

Poor

Over: B Ditch

500 ft SE of Chiles Ave., El Paso, CO

Built 1942 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 30

County Road 179

Poor

Over: Trout Creek

0.9 Mi E of Co Rd 33, Routt, CO

Built 1955 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 150

HOLZWARTH ACCESS R

Poor

Over: COLORADO RIVER

West side of park approx, Grand, CO

Built 1982 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 2

SH 131 ML

Poor

Over: UP RR

2 MI S OF OAK CREEK, Routt, CO

Built 1935 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 2,200

MCCLASKEY ROAD

Poor

Over: BIG SANDY CREEK TRIB

0.4 MILES NORTH OF CALHAN, El Paso, CO

Built 1984 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 350

I 70 ML EBND

Poor

Over: MOSS STREET W 7TH AVE

0.3 MI E OF JCT US 6, Jefferson, CO

Built 1969 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 35,000

COUNTY ROAD 35

Poor

Over: HOLLY SEEP

.3 MI N OF SH 50, Prowers, CO

Built 1940 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 519

SH 61 ML

Poor

Over: SURVEYOR CREEK

3 MI N OF JCT US 34 OTIS, Washington, CO

Built 1952 Load: 26.4 t ADT: 820

US 24 ML

Poor

Over: MIDDLE FK S.PLATTE RVR

2.2 MI S.E. OF JCT SH 9 E, Park, CO

Built 1937 Load: 26.4 t ADT: 3,300

144TH AVENUE

Poor

Over: LOCAL DRAINAGE

0.4 MI W OF HARBACK ROAD, Adams, CO

Built 1960 Load: 26.5 t ADT: 987

COUNTY ROAD 18

Poor

Over: OTERO CANAL

.3 MI N OF CR EE, Otero, CO

Built 1966 Load: 26.5 t ADT: 784

County Road 6W

Poor

Over: Michigan River

1.3 Mi W of St Hwy 125, Jackson, CO

Built 1958 Load: 26.6 t ADT: 179

Poplar St (CR53)

Poor

Over: Dry Creek

0.1 Mi So of US Hwy 40, Routt, CO

Built 1988 Load: 26.6 t ADT: 2,385

County Road 4

Poor

Over: Beebe Seep Canal

0.5 MI E of Co Rd 37, Weld, CO

Built 1996 Load: 26.6 t ADT: 1,311

US 50 ML

Poor

Over: FARMERS OXFORD DITCH

3.7 MI. W. OF FOWLER, Pueblo, CO

Built 1938 Load: 26.7 t ADT: 4,200

SH 59 ML

Poor

Over: SANDY CREEK

33.2 MI N OF JCT US 34, Phillips, CO

Built 1949 Load: 26.8 t ADT: 220

County Road 50

Poor

Over: N. Sterling Outlet Canal

Intersection w/ Co Rd 43, Logan, CO

Built 1982 Load: 26.8 t ADT: 47

COUNTY ROAD MM

Poor

Over: PLEASANT VALLEY DRAIN

.2 MI E OF CR 5, Prowers, CO

Built 1960 Load: 26.8 t ADT: 141

COUNTY ROAD LL

Poor

Over: AMITY CANAL

.1 MI E OF SH 196, Prowers, CO

Built 1979 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 578

SH 96 ML

Poor

Over: BIG DRY CREEK

IN PUEBLO, Pueblo, CO

Built 1936 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 6,600

SH 69 ML

Poor

Over: WILLIAMS CREEK

5 MILES NW OF FARISITA, Huerfano, CO

Built 1957 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 740

88TH AVENUE

Poor

Over: WOLF CREEK

0.5 MI E OF PIGGOTT MI RD, Adams, CO

Built 1960 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 569

SH 35 ML

Poor

Over: SAND CREEK

ON QUEBEC 0.1 MI N I70, Denver, CO

Built 1962 Load: 27.3 t ADT: 60,000

I 76 ML EBND

Poor

Over: CLEAR CREEK

1.4 M E OF JCT SH 121, Jefferson, CO

Built 1984 Load: 27.4 t ADT: 38,000

County Road 33

Poor

Over: Lower Platte Beaver Cnl

0.1 Mi N of Co Rd V, Morgan, CO

Built 1965 Load: 27.4 t ADT: 200

IRR# US 84 ML

Poor

Over: COYOTE CREEK

11 MI NORTH OF NEW MEXICO, Archuleta, CO

Built 1938 Load: 27.4 t ADT: 1,100

Showing 8,751-8,800 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.