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

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: CO RD GORE CREEK

13.5 MI W OF JCT SH 91, Eagle, CO

Built 1977 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 10,000

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: HILLSIDE

W END OF VAIL PASS, Eagle, CO

Built 1977 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 10,000

SH 9 ML

Fair

Over: BLUE RIVER

IN SILVERTHORNE, Summit, CO

Built 1982 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 20,000

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: COUNTY ROAD

5 MI E OF EISENHOWER TUNN, Clear Creek, CO

Built 1972 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 16,500

I 70 ML

Fair

Over: WOODWARD STREET

IN SILVERPLUME, Clear Creek, CO

Built 1968 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 33,000

COLORADO BLVD

Fair

Over: SODA CREEK

IN IDAHO SPRINGS, Clear Creek, CO

Built 1931 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,159

SH 470 ML

Fair

Over: MASSEY DRAW/C470 TRAIL

.75 MI E OF JCT SH 121, Jefferson, CO

Built 1968 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 72,000

SH 88 ML

Fair

Over: LITTLE DRY CREEK

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1959 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 28,000

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: US 40 ML DITCH

1.4 MI E OF JCT DEERTRAIL, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1965 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 5,500

SOUTH GOLDEN ROAD

Fair

Over: LENA GULCH TRIBUTARY

0.1 MI W OF I70, Jefferson, CO

Built 1978 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 596

I 70 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

7.4 MI E OF JCT DEERTRAIL, Elbert, CO

Built 1966 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 11,000

SALVIA STREET

Fair

Over: FARMERS HIGHLINE CANAL

.1 MI NORTH 44TH AVENUE, Jefferson, CO

Built 1967 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,350

INDIANA STREET

Fair

Over: CROKE CANAL

52ND AVE AND INDIANA ST, Jefferson, CO

Built 1971 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,490

44TH AVENUE

Fair

Over: FARMERS HIGHLINE CANAL

.8 MILES W OF McINTYRE, Jefferson, CO

Built 1942 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,803

US 36 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

3.1 MI E OF LINDON, Washington, CO

Built 1938 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 570

WINDY STREET

Fair

Over: LOCAL DRAINAGE

JUST SOUTH OF 59TH AVENUE, Jefferson, CO

Built 1995 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 9

Bryan Avenue

Fair

Over: Larimer Co. Canal No. 2

75 Ft N of Westview Ave, Larimer, CO

Built 1960 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 419

Battlecreek Drive

Fair

Over: Unknown Drainage

0.1 Mi W of CR 11, Larimer, CO

Built 2000 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,818

Crestmore Court

Fair

Over: Larimer Co. Canal No. 2

0.1 Mi E of Bryan Avenue, Larimer, CO

Built 1955 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 506

Elizabeth Street

Fair

Over: Larimer Co. Canal No. 2

200 Ft E of Bryan Ave, Larimer, CO

Built 1960 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 12,803

Fossil Creek Pkwy.

Fair

Over: Fossil Creek

.1 Mi N Hunt. Hill Dr., Larimer, CO

Built 2001 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,646

Heatheridge Rd.

Fair

Over: Larimer Co. Canal No. 2

0.1 Mi N of Stuart St, Larimer, CO

Built 1972 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,097

Heatheridge Street

Fair

Over: Importation Channel

0.2 Mi N of Stuart Street, Larimer, CO

Built 1992 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,097

Laporte Avenue

Fair

Over: New Mercer Ditch

0.1 Mi W of CR 11, Larimer, CO

Built 1965 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 6,487

Lady Moon Drive

Fair

Over: McClellands Channel

200 Ft. N. Kechter Road, Larimer, CO

Built 2003 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,661

LeMay Avenue

Fair

Over: Spring Creek

0.1 Mi N of Stuart St, Larimer, CO

Built 1975 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 26,981

South LeMay Avenue

Fair

Over: Fossil Creek

0.8 Mi N of E. Trilby Rd, Larimer, CO

Built 1985 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 10,956

South LeMay Avenue

Fair

Over: Fossil Creek Tributary

0.2 Mi N of Trilby Road, Larimer, CO

Built 1986 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 12,185

LeMay Avenue

Fair

Over: Larimer and Weld Canal

1.2 Mi N of Vine Drive, Larimer, CO

Built 1958 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 8,064

Morsman Drive

Fair

Over: New Mercer Canal

100 Ft W of Meadowlark Av, Larimer, CO

Built 1968 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 660

Mitchell Drive

Fair

Over: Larimer Co. Canal No. 2

0.1 Mi. S of Horsetooth, Larimer, CO

Built 1992 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,749

Mulberry Street

Fair

Over: Larimer Co. Canal No. 2

50 Ft E of Bryan Avenue, Larimer, CO

Built 1920 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 12,947

Mulberry St/CR 46

Fair

Over: Pleas. Valley Lake Canal

0.1 M E of Overland Trail, Larimer, CO

Built 1930 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,030

Palmer Dr

Fair

Over: Spillway

0.1 West of Hogan Dr, Larimer, CO

Built 2010 Load: 32.7 t

Plum Street

Fair

Over: Larimer Co. Canal No. 2

0.1 Mi W of City Park Dr., Larimer, CO

Built 1950 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,970

Shields Street

Fair

Over: Spring Creek

0.1 Mi N of Hill Pond Rd, Larimer, CO

Built 1976 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 26,932

Skysail Lane

Fair

Over: Larimer Co. Canal No. 2

200 Ft E of Spinnaker, Larimer, CO

Built 1980 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 343

West Swallow Rd

Fair

Over: Larimer Co. Canal No. 2

50 ft W of McClelland Dr, Larimer, CO

Built 1982 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,588

Waterglen Drive

Fair

Over: Local Drainage

Just N of Vine Dr, Larimer, CO

Built 1999 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,632

Ziegler Drive

Fair

Over: McClellands Channel

200 Ft. N. Sage Cr. Rd., Larimer, CO

Built 2004 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 11,572

W 2ND STREET

Fair

Over: OAK CREEK

JUST N OF N HOUSTON AV, Fremont, CO

Built 1908 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 139

E 3RD STREET

Fair

Over: COAL CREEK

Just E of N Petroleum Ave, Fremont, CO

Built 1916 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,092

RAILROAD STREET

Fair

Over: COAL CREEK

IN FLORENCE, Fremont, CO

Built 1918 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 548

COUNTY ROAD 11A

Fair

Over: CHANDLER CREEK

.3 MI S OF SH 115, Fremont, CO

Built 1975 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,807

CR120/OLD PORTLAND

Fair

Over: RANGER CREEK

3 MI E OF PORTLAND, Fremont, CO

Built 1923 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 42

COUNTY ROAD 45

Fair

Over: ARKANSAS RIVER

AT VALLIE, Fremont, CO

Built 1988 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 114

CREEKSIDE DRIVE

Fair

Over: TEN MILE CREEK

0.1 MI N OF MAIN STREET, Summit, CO

Built 1965 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 548

MADISON AVE

Fair

Over: TEN MILE CREEK

0.1 MI N OF MAIN STREET, Summit, CO

Built 1965 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 667

4TH AVE-CREEKSIDE

Fair

Over: TEN MILE CREEK

0.2 MI N OF MAIN STREET, Summit, CO

Built 1965 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 980

I 70 ML+FRONT RD

Fair

Over: ALLENWATER CREEK

1 MI E OF PARACHUTE, Garfield, CO

Built 1982 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 20,000

Showing 2,901-2,950 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.