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

County Road 49

Fair

Over: Owl Creek Canal

0.4 Mi N of Co Rd 76, Weld, CO

Built 1982 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 134

County Road 62.5

Fair

Over: Lone Tree Creek

0.7 Mi E of Co Rd 49, Weld, CO

Built 1986 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 41

County Road 73

Fair

Over: Sand Creek

0.6 Mi N of Co Rd 18, Weld, CO

Built 2014 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 951

156TH AVENUE

Fair

Over: BIG DRY CREEK

0.2 MI E OF YORK ST, Adams, CO

Built 1995 Load: 28.9 t ADT: 219

COUNTY ROAD 43

Fair

Over: ANTELOPE CREEK

.2 MI SE OF CR KK, Baca, CO

Built 1965 Load: 28.9 t ADT: 49

SH 125 ML

Fair

Over: WILLOW CREEK

35 MI N OF GRANBY, Jackson, CO

Built 1955 Load: 28.9 t ADT: 220

SH 144 ML

Fair

Over: BIJOU CREEK

13.5 MI E OF JCT SH 39, Morgan, CO

Built 1966 Load: 28.9 t ADT: 1,400

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: BlueRvr-Adams Ave and...

IN SILVERTHORNE, Summit, CO

Built 1971 Load: 28.9 t ADT: 20,000

US 50 ML

Fair

Over: CHEYENNE CREEK

0.3 MI W. OF KANSAS LINE, Prowers, CO

Built 1966 Load: 28.9 t ADT: 1,400

SH 71 ML

Fair

Over: OTERO CANAL

8 MI NO OF JCT US 350, Otero, CO

Built 1950 Load: 28.9 t ADT: 220

County Road 45

Fair

Over: Larimer and Weld Canal

0.2 Mi N of Co Rd 84, Weld, CO

Built 1990 Load: 28.9 t ADT: 37

SH 1 ML

Fair

Over: LARIMER CO CANAL

2.2 MI N OF FT COLLINS, Larimer, CO

Built 1911 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 7,900

US 34 ML

Fair

Over: LOUDEN DITCH

2.2 M. WEST OF LOVELAND, Larimer, CO

Built 1933 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 8,300

US 34 ML EBND

Fair

Over: 1ST AVE

0.71 MI E OF JCT US 85, Weld, CO

Built 1975 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 8,500

COUNTY ROAD 175

Fair

Over: ARKANSAS RIVER

300 Feet NE of SH 291, Chaffee, CO

Built 1994 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,099

US 287 ML

Fair

Over: FARMERS HIGHLINE CANAL

3.9 MI NO OF JCT US 36, Adams, CO

Built 1951 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 27,000

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: RULISON CROSS ROAD

5.5 MI W OF RIFLE, Garfield, CO

Built 1980 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 10,000

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: RULISON CROSS ROAD

5.5 MI W OF RIFLE, Garfield, CO

Built 1980 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 10,000

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: US 6 RR EAGLE RIVER

4.6 MI W OF JCT SH 131, Eagle, CO

Built 1971 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 14,500

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: BEARD CREEK TRL

W. END OF EDWARDS, Eagle, CO

Built 1970 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 13,000

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: BIG HORN RD

E. VAIL INTERCHANGE, Eagle, CO

Built 1975 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 12,500

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: I-70 FRONTAGE RD

EAST END OF VAIL, Eagle, CO

Built 1975 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 12,500

I 70 STRASBURG SPU

Fair

Over: I 70 ML

4.8 MI E OF RAMP TO US 36, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1962 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 3,700

SH 67 ML

Fair

Over: EAST PLUM CREEK

JUST S. OF SEDALIA, Douglas, CO

Built 1963 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 5,300

CO RD 317

Fair

Over: SLATE RIVER

0.5 MI N OF CRESTED BUTTE, Gunnison, CO

Built 1983 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 5,823

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: GRAND VALLEY CANAL

2.2 MI W OF HORIZON DRIVE, Mesa, CO

Built 1965 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 11,500

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: HORIZON DRIVE

E GRAND JUNCT. INTCHNG, Mesa, CO

Built 1965 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 11,500

SH 340 ML WBND

Fair

Over: REDLANDS POWER CANAL

W. EDGE OF GRAND JUNCTION, Mesa, CO

Built 1974 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 6,500

SH 133 ML

Fair

Over: EAST MUDDY CREEK

7 MI W OF MCCLURE PASS, Gunnison, CO

Built 1978 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 930

CR 340/BEAR CRK

Fair

Over: CUCHARAS RIVER

0.1 MI SOUTH OF US160, Huerfano, CO

Built 1989 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 140

COUNTY ROAD 330

Fair

Over: BEAR CREEK

0.1 MI S OF I-25 Business, Huerfano, CO

Built 1991 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 217

COUNTY ROAD 38

Fair

Over: ARIKAREE RIVER

0.7 MILES S OF ROAD 3X, Lincoln, CO

Built 1990 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 18

PRINCE STREET

Fair

Over: RAILROAD AND LRT

.5 MI S OF LITTLETON BLVD, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1986 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 12,671

I 25 ML NBND

Fair

Over: CUCHARAS RIVER

0.8 MI NO OF JCT BUS RT, Huerfano, CO

Built 1963 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 5,000

IRR# US 160 ML

Fair

Over: SAN JUAN RIVER

0.2 MI NO OF NEW MEXICO S, Montezuma, CO

Built 1961 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,600

COUNTY ROAD 4W

Fair

Over: FARMERS UNION CANAL

.5 N OF CR 8N, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1962 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 122

County Road 10

Fair

Over: White River

0.08 Mi East of Co Rd 8, Rio Blanco, CO

Built 1930 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 164

County Road 12

Fair

Over: North Fork White River

0.08 Mi East of Co Rd 8, Rio Blanco, CO

Built 1930 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 114

FDR 125 SERVICE RD

Fair

Over: ARAPAHO CREEK

11.0 MI SOUTH OF US 34, Grand, CO

Built 1930 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 1

County Road 67

Fair

Over: S F Williams Fork River

5.0 Mi S of Co Rd 29, Routt, CO

Built 1993 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 24

COUNTY ROAD 30

Fair

Over: FT. LYON CANAL

3.5 MI N of US 50, Bent, CO

Built 1950 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 40

ALLEY

Fair

Over: EAST HARVARD GULCH

BTWN STEELE AND ADAMS, Denver, CO

Built 1967 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 75

ACADEMY BLVD SB

Fair

Over: US 85 ML BNSF RR

0.75 MI S OF CO SPRINGS, El Paso, CO

Built 1972 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 27,005

ACADEMY BLVD NB

Fair

Over: US 85 ML BNSF RR

0.75 MI S OF CO SPRINGS, El Paso, CO

Built 1972 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 26,281

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: ANVIL POINTS ROAD

8.5 MI EAST OF PARACHUTE, Garfield, CO

Built 1978 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 10,000

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: BlueRvr-Adams Ave and...

10.5 MI E OF JCT SH 91, Summit, CO

Built 1971 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 20,000

AURARIA PKWY RAMP

Fair

Over: I25 RAMPS AND WALNUT

RAMP OVER I25 TO SB I25, Denver, CO

Built 1987 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 10,126

US 24 ML WBND

Fair

Over: EL PASO BLV FOUNTAIN CRK

IN MANITOU SPRINGS, El Paso, CO

Built 1969 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 13,500

COUNTY ROAD 4

Fair

Over: DUCK CREEK

1.0 MILES NORTH OF ROAD V, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1964 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 201

Dillon Road

Fair

Over: Coal Creek & Ped Tra

0.5 Mi E of McCaslin Blvd, Boulder, CO

Built 1993 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 15,732

Showing 1,851-1,900 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.