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 Offramp

Fair

Over: LRT

I-25/Washington St., Denver, CO

Built 2005 Load: 18.0 t ADT: 188,000

COUNTY ROAD 6.3

Fair

Over: WEST CREEK

4 MI NE OF GATEWAY, Mesa, CO

Built 1975 Load: 18.0 t ADT: 7

County Road 37

Fair

Over: Williams Fork River

S of Co Rd 317 near MP 6, Moffat, CO

Built 1939 Load: 18.0 t ADT: 28

COUNTY ROAD 26

Fair

Over: HOLBROOK CANAL

.02 MI N OF SH 266, Otero, CO

Built 1978 Load: 18.0 t ADT: 8

128TH AVENUE

Fair

Over: BIG DRY CREEK

0.6 MI W OF HURON ST., Adams, CO

Built 1978 Load: 18.0 t ADT: 17,866

COUNTY ROAD FERN

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

3.1 MI SW OF OLATHE, Montrose, CO

Built 1981 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 49

MAIN STREET

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE

W. OF KIPLING STREET, Jefferson, CO

Built 1942 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 1,100

168TH AVENUE

Fair

Over: ANTELOPE CREEK

0.1 MI W PEORIA CROSSING, Adams, CO

Built 1970 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 11

US 6 ML

Fair

Over: PREWITT OUTLET CANAL

16.4 MI NO OF JCT I-76, Washington, CO

Built 1941 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 1,000

SH 64 ML

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

9 MI E OF RANGELY, Rio Blanco, CO

Built 1949 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 670

MISSISSIPPI AVE

Fair

Over: SOUTH PLATTE RIVER

MISSISSIPPI AT SANTA FE, Denver, CO

Built 1953 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 17,385

HIGH ST

Fair

Over: EAST HARVARD GULCH

1 BLK N of VASSAR, Denver, CO

Built 1967 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 222

SH 119 ML

Fair

Over: BOULDER CREEK

JUST WEST OF BOULDER, Boulder, CO

Built 1953 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 6,400

I 70 ML

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

IN IDAHO SPRINGS, Clear Creek, CO

Built 1971 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 39,000

5th Street

Fair

Over: Greeley No. 3 Ditch

2200 Blk-5th Street, Weld, CO

Built 1960 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 8,191

US 285 ML

Fair

Over: MIDDLE FK S.PLATTE RVR

JUST W. OF FAIRPLAY, Park, CO

Built 1937 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 8,000

US 50 ML

Fair

Over: QUARTZ CREEK

3.6 MI EAST SH 114 & JCT, Gunnison, CO

Built 1933 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 3,000

COUNTY ROAD 44

Fair

Over: DRY GULCH

2.0 MILES NORTH OF ROAD M, Kit Carson, CO

Built 1981 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 43

COUNTY RD 63.1

Fair

Over: APISHAPA RIVER

.5 MI SE OF MAIN ST, Las Animas, CO

Built 1948 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 683

I 25 ML NBND

Fair

Over: POPE ARROYO

16.4 MI NO OF WALSENBURG, Huerfano, CO

Built 1948 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 7,000

COUNTY ROAD 24.5

Fair

Over: GRAND VALLEY CANAL

.5 MI N OF RD H, Mesa, CO

Built 1987 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 533

COUNTY ROAD 1E

Fair

Over: MONTE VISTA CANAL

0.8 Mi N of SH 370, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1966 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 39

COUNTY ROAD 1S

Fair

Over: MONTE VISTA CANAL

Just E of CR 28, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1981 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 64

COUNTY ROAD 6W

Fair

Over: RIO GRANDE CANAL

JUST NORTH OF CR 8N, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1966 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 53

County Road 90

Fair

Over: Pierce Lateral Canal

0.7 Mi E of Co Rd 29, Weld, CO

Built 1989 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 868

KINIKIN RD

Fair

Over: SOUTH CANAL

AT CANAL ROAD, Montrose, CO

Built 1986 Load: 18.2 t ADT: 182

Third Street

Fair

Over: Rifle Creek

2 Blocks W of RR Ave., Garfield, CO

Built 1931 Load: 18.2 t ADT: 3,547

SH 92 ML

Fair

Over: MUDDY CREEK

3 MI SE OF CRAWFORD, Montrose, CO

Built 1936 Load: 18.2 t ADT: 300

SH 135 ML

Fair

Over: GUNNISON RIVER

2.5 MI NE OF GUNNISON, Gunnison, CO

Built 1950 Load: 18.2 t ADT: 7,400

120TH STREET

Fair

Over: Rock Creek

0.5 Mi S of S. Boulder Rd, Boulder, CO

Built 1986 Load: 18.2 t ADT: 3,390

COUNTY ROAD 33

Fair

Over: HOLLY SEEP

0.6 MI N OF SH 50, Prowers, CO

Built 1982 Load: 18.2 t ADT: 128

COUNTY ROAD 30

Fair

Over: RIO GRANDE CANAL

.2 MI N OF SH 374, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1966 Load: 18.2 t ADT: 48

I 25 SERVICE RD

Fair

Over: PINE CREEK SR

1.4 MI N OF JCT I-25 BUS, El Paso, CO

Built 1960 Load: 18.3 t ADT: 5,000

COUNTY ROAD 22

Fair

Over: HUNTER WASH

.5 MI N OF RD K, Mesa, CO

Built 1983 Load: 18.3 t ADT: 223

ESCALANTERD/CR36.4

Fair

Over: ESCALANTE CREEK

16.8 MI SW OF US 50, Mesa, CO

Built 1990 Load: 18.3 t ADT: 15

County Road 20

Fair

Over: Badger Creek

1.1 Mi N of Co Rd F, Morgan, CO

Built 1965 Load: 18.3 t ADT: 7

COUNTY ROAD 2W

Fair

Over: FARMERS UNION CANAL

.5 MI N OF CR 10N, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1962 Load: 18.3 t ADT: 29

COUNTY ROAD J

Fair

Over: EAST CARRIZO CREEK

0.1 MI E OF CR 3.5, Baca, CO

Built 1973 Load: 18.4 t ADT: 29

SILVER LAKE DR

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

AT FRONTAGE ROAD, Clear Creek, CO

Built 1980 Load: 18.4 t ADT: 250

SH 2 ML

Fair

Over: CHERRY CREEK

IN DENVER, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1935 Load: 18.4 t ADT: 47,000

SH 59 ML

Fair

Over: ARIKAREE RIVER

3.3 MI N OF JCT US 36 (JO, Yuma, CO

Built 1986 Load: 18.4 t ADT: 360

Mountain River Rd

Fair

Over: Little Thompson River

50 ft S of W CR 4, Larimer, CO

Built 1936 Load: 18.4 t ADT: 42

County Road 32.5

Fair

Over: South Platte River

0.9 Mi E of Co Rd 21, Weld, CO

Built 1995 Load: 18.4 t ADT: 2,630

CR L / Lariat RD

Fair

Over: MONTE VISTA CANAL

Just W of CR 28, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1971 Load: 18.4 t ADT: 71

County Road 129

Fair

Over: White River

0.27 Mi S of St Hwy 64, Rio Blanco, CO

Built 1936 Load: 18.4 t ADT: 57

County Road 54

Fair

Over: White River

300 ft S of Co Rd 8, Rio Blanco, CO

Built 1936 Load: 18.4 t ADT: 146

WINDING FDR 855

Fair

Over: PORTLAND CREEK

.1MI S OF OURAY, Ouray, CO

Built 1958 Load: 18.5 t ADT: 224

ITALIAN CREEK ROAD

Fair

Over: TAYLOR RIVER

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

Built 1949 Load: 18.5 t ADT: 482

FDR 522

Fair

Over: FERN CREEK

.9 MI ON FSR 522, Mineral, CO

Built 1966 Load: 18.5 t ADT: 58

County Road 2

Fair

Over: Troublesome Creek

6.2 Mi North of US Hwy 40, Grand, CO

Built 1990 Load: 18.5 t ADT: 56

Showing 401-450 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.