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 25 ML NBND

Fair

Over: BEAR CREEK

0.5 MI N OF JCT BUS RT, Huerfano, CO

Built 1963 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 5,000

US 160 ML

Fair

Over: SAN JUAN RIVER

IN PAGOSA SPRINGS, Archuleta, CO

Built 1962 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 8,800

COUNTY ROAD 20

Fair

Over: HORSE CREEK

1.6 MI N OF CR PP, Baca, CO

Built 1940 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 4

15TH ST

Fair

Over: SOUTH PLATTE RIVER

E OF PLATTE DRIVE, Denver, CO

Built 1975 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 11,374

SH 157 ML

Fair

Over: SKUNK CREEK

IN BOULDER, Boulder, CO

Built 1978 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 43,000

Fall River Lane

Fair

Over: Fall River

250 Ft S of W Elkhorn, Larimer, CO

Built 1983 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 202

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: GAME UNDERPASS

1.8 W OF EAGLE SPUR, Eagle, CO

Built 1977 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 11,000

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: LANDSMAN CREEK

9.3 MI. W. OF JCT US 385, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1966 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 4,600

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: LANDSMAN CREEK

8.2 MI. E. OF JCT. SH. 57, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1966 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 4,600

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: COLORADO RIVER

1.5 MI E OF JCT SH 65, Mesa, CO

Built 1985 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 8,500

COUNTY ROAD 23.7

Fair

Over: NORTH RUSH CREEK

0.4 MILE SOUTH OF ROAD 2L, Lincoln, CO

Built 1992 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 31

US 50 ML

Fair

Over: ANDERSON ARROYO

IN LA JUNTA, Otero, CO

Built 1961 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 12,000

County Road 4

Fair

Over: Denver Hudson Canal

0.3 Mi E of Co Rd 41, Weld, CO

Built 2003 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 1,483

County Road 70

Fair

Over: Willow Creek

0.5 Mi E of Co Rd 49, Weld, CO

Built 1960 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 26

NFSR 292.A

Fair

Over: CHALK CREEK

.2 MI NW OF CR 162, Chaffee, CO

Built 1989 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 31

PARADE LOOP DRIVE

Fair

Over: DEADMANS CREEK

100 S. OF N. GATE BLVD., El Paso, CO

Built 1958 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 4,015

VIRGIL WAY

Fair

Over: RALSTON CREEK

0.5 MI N OF 64TH AVENUE, Jefferson, CO

Built 2004 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 1,069

SH 59 ML

Fair

Over: FRENCHMAN CREEK

0.8 mi S of Haxtun, Phillips, CO

Built 1959 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 450

County Road 80

Fair

Over: North St. Vrain Creek

0.8 Mi W of US Hwy 36, Boulder, CO

Built 1988 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 199

COUNTY ROAD GG

Fair

Over: CADDOA CREEK

.2 MI E OF CR 26, Bent, CO

Built 1988 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 65

SH 257 ML

Fair

Over: BIG THOMPSON RIVER

0.8 MI NO OF JCT SH 60, Weld, CO

Built 1961 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 8,500

8TH AVENUE

Fair

Over: CHERRY CREEK

8TH AVE AT SPEER, Denver, CO

Built 1989 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 18,785

I 76 ML

Fair

Over: ARVADA CHANNEL

IN WHEAT RIDGE, Jefferson, CO

Built 1982 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 76,000

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: COUNTY ROAD

W. END of EDWARDS, Eagle, CO

Built 1970 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 13,000

STEELE STREET

Fair

Over: I25 ML & LRT

IN DENVER, Denver, CO

Built 2003 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 4,234

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: COLORADO RIVER OVFLW

9.2 Miles W Mesa Garfield, Mesa, CO

Built 1982 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 8,500

I 70 FRONTAGE RD

Fair

Over: GRAND VALLEY CANAL SR

2.2 MI W / HORIZON DRIVE, Mesa, CO

Built 1965 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 863

I70 BUS. RT WBND

Fair

Over: US 6 EBND

IN GRAND JUNCTION, Mesa, CO

Built 1957 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 13,500

SH 71 ML

Fair

Over: HIGHLINE CANAL

2.3 MI S OF ROCKY FORD, Otero, CO

Built 1941 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 460

US 50 ML

Fair

Over: AMITY CANAL

5.6 MI W of Lamar, Prowers, CO

Built 1982 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 7,800

COUNTY ROAD 2G

Fair

Over: BIG SANDY CREEK

0.2 MI WEST OF ROAD 43, Lincoln, CO

Built 1997 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 46

COUNTY ROAD 43

Fair

Over: BIG SANDY CREEK

1 MILE SOUTH OF ROAD 2G, Lincoln, CO

Built 1996 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 46

IRR# US 84 ML

Fair

Over: RIO BLANCO

18 MI NW OF NEW MEXICO S., Archuleta, CO

Built 1962 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 1,300

COUNTY ROAD TT

Fair

Over: FT. LYON CANAL

.2 MI W OF CR 10.5, Prowers, CO

Built 1950 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 26

CO RD 55

Fair

Over: Owl Creek Canal

0.1 MI N OF CO RD 74, Weld, CO

Built 2011 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 241

County Road 68.5

Fair

Over: New Cache La Poudre Cana

0.2 Mi E of CR 13, Weld, CO

Built 2011 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 1,494

SPRING CREEK ROAD

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

11 MI. N.E. ALMONT CO., Gunnison, CO

Built 1983 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 146

I 25 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

13.8 MI NORTH OF JCT SH 1, Weld, CO

Built 1963 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 12,500

152ND AVENUE

Fair

Over: HUDSON CANAL

0.2 MILE E OF HARVEST RD, Adams, CO

Built 1989 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 5,901

I 25 ML

Fair

Over: BOX ELDER CREEK

0.5 MI S OF JCT SH 14, Larimer, CO

Built 1968 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 55,000

SH 14 ML

Fair

Over: PAWNEE CREEK

8 MI E OF JCT SH 71 SOUTH, Logan, CO

Built 1999 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 1,900

I 76 ML

Fair

Over: SEQUINE GULCH

5.4 MI NE OF JCT SH 7, Weld, CO

Built 1935 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 23,000

E-470 SB

Fair

Over: Burlington Ditch

34.79 MI FROM I25, Adams, CO

Built 2002 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 22,442

I 70 ML

Fair

Over: SODA CREEK ROAD

IN IDAHO SPRINGS, Clear Creek, CO

Built 1958 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 39,000

I 25 ML

Fair

Over: HAPPY CANYON CREEK

3.9 MI SO OF JCT I 470, Douglas, CO

Built 1999 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 116,000

COUNTY ROAD 60

Fair

Over: SMOKY HILL RIVER

0.9 MILES NORTH OF ROAD G, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1940 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 10

SH 96 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

2.6 MI EAST OF JCT SH 229, Pueblo, CO

Built 1939 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 1,600

Clearwater Drive

Fair

Over: Local Drainage

N. of Valley Oak Dr., Larimer, CO

Built 2007 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 619

COUNTY ROAD 17.45

Fair

Over: GRAND VALLEY CANAL

.3 MI N OF RD N, Mesa, CO

Built 1995 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 64

120TH STREET

Fair

Over: NWP

4.77 MI FROM I-25, Broomfield, CO

Built 2002 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 4,189

Showing 3,301-3,350 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.