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

12th Ave/14th St

Fair

Over: Greeley No. 3 Ditch

12th Ave/14th Street, Weld, CO

Built 1986 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 2,263

SH 65 ML

Fair

Over: SURFACE CREEK

3.4 MI N OF ORCHARD CITY, Delta, CO

Built 1957 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 5,700

SH 96 ML

Fair

Over: BOB CREEK

1.4 MI EAST OF CROWLEY, Crowley, CO

Built 1964 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 2,500

COUNTY RD 18.3

Fair

Over: PURGATOIRE RIVER

0.1 MI S SH 12, Las Animas, CO

Built 1998 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 243

County Road 37

Fair

Over: Rabbit Creek

1.3 Mi N of Co Rd 74E, Larimer, CO

Built 1981 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 103

US 160 ML

Fair

Over: S FK RIO GRANDE RIVER

AT SOUTH FORK, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1981 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 4,800

County Road 84S

Fair

Over: South St. Vrain Creek

0.1 Mi S of St Hwy 7, Boulder, CO

Built 1990 Load: 44.6 t ADT: 637

COUNTY ROAD 123

Fair

Over: EIGHT MILE CREEK

0.7 MI E OF CR 67, Fremont, CO

Built 1991 Load: 44.6 t ADT: 812

US 34 ML

Fair

Over: BIG THOMPSON RIVER

2 MI W OF LOVELAND, Larimer, CO

Built 2005 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 8,300

COUNTY ROAD FF

Fair

Over: SANGRE DE CRISTO CK

4.4 MI W OF SH 159, Costilla, CO

Built 2013 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 16

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: BAIR RANCH RD DRAW

BAIR RANCH REST AREA, Garfield, CO

Built 1985 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 8,500

I 225 ML NBND

Fair

Over: SH 83

IN AURORA, Arapahoe, CO

Built 2002 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 62,500

I 225 ML SBND

Fair

Over: SH 83 ML

IN AURORA, Arapahoe, CO

Built 2002 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 62,500

10 Ave/15 St

Fair

Over: Greeley No. 3 Ditch

At Int 10th/15 Street, Weld, CO

Built 1985 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 2,309

CNTY RD 2 MI LANE

Fair

Over: HOOPER LATERAL

.9 MI E OF CR 102, Alamosa, CO

Built 1995 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 50

County Road 627

Fair

Over: Colorado River

1.4 Mi East of US Hwy 34, Grand, CO

Built 1999 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 4

MILL STREET

Fair

Over: NORTH CLEAR CREEK

INTERSECTION WITH SH119, Gilpin, CO

Built 1994 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 2,123

I 76 ML WBND

Fair

Over: COUNTY ROAD 53

2.5 MI W of Keenesburg, Weld, CO

Built 1961 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 8,000

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: COUNTY ROAD 173

4.4 MI E OF STRASBURG SPU, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1963 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 7,500

I 70 ML EBND

Fair

Over: COUNTY ROAD 173

1.4 MI W OF JCT 36 BYERS, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1963 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 7,500

MAPLE GROVE ROAD

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

.4 MI W OF CR 61, Montrose, CO

Built 1980 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 376

COUNTY ROAD 290

Fair

Over: CHALK CREEK

.1 MI SW OF CR 162, Chaffee, CO

Built 1986 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 117

COUNTY ROAD 15

Fair

Over: CONEJOS RIVER

2.0 MI N OF CR G, Conejos, CO

Built 1996 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 38

COUNTY ROAD 4

Fair

Over: ARKANSAS RIVER

AT HOWARD, Fremont, CO

Built 1998 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 130

CTY RD 17/FDR 600

Fair

Over: DEEP CR

NO DATA ENTERED, Eagle, CO

Built 1960 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 166

56TH AVENUE

Fair

Over: IRONDALE GULCH

JUST EAST OF CHAMBERS RD, Denver, CO

Built 2000 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 17,525

PALMER DIVIDE ROAD

Fair

Over: ELK CREEK

1.5 MI E OF HIGHWAY 83, Douglas, CO

Built 1995 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 924

County Road 8

Fair

Over: Bijou Canal

0.5 Mi N of Co Rd U, Morgan, CO

Built 2002 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 80

County Road R

Fair

Over: Beaver Creek

0.5 Mi E of Co Rd 28, Morgan, CO

Built 1987 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 1,112

I 225 ML NBND+RAMP

Fair

Over: ULSTER ST.

IN DENVER, Denver, CO

Built 1976 Load: 45.1 t ADT: 69,000

I 225 ML SBND

Fair

Over: PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS

IN AURORA, Arapahoe, CO

Built 2002 Load: 45.1 t ADT: 68,000

LOGAN STREET

Fair

Over: I-25 ML & LRT

IN DENVER T-REX, Denver, CO

Built 2004 Load: 45.1 t ADT: 12,556

US 160 ML

Fair

Over: ANIMAS RIVER

INT. OF 550 & 160, La Plata, CO

Built 1968 Load: 45.1 t ADT: 17,000

COUNTY ROAD 11

Fair

Over: WEST DRY CREEK

7 MI S OF SH 10, Otero, CO

Built 1991 Load: 45.1 t ADT: 3

DRANSFELDT ROAD

Fair

Over: SULPHUR GULCH

.2 MI S OF MAIN STREET, Douglas, CO

Built 2000 Load: 45.1 t ADT: 8,479

CR 201/SILOAM RD

Fair

Over: PECK CREEK

6.5 MI N OF SH 78, Pueblo, CO

Built 1991 Load: 45.1 t ADT: 127

ESCONDIDA DRIVE

Fair

Over: SOUTH FORK RIO GRANDE R.

560 ft S OF HIGHWAY 160, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1998 Load: 45.1 t ADT: 137

COUNTY ROAD 210

Fair

Over: SOUTH ARKANSAS RIVER

.2 MI S OF US50, Chaffee, CO

Built 1987 Load: 45.2 t ADT: 132

DECATUR STREET

Fair

Over: WEIR GULCH

DECATUR BTWN BARBERRY/9TH, Denver, CO

Built 1981 Load: 45.2 t ADT: 5,426

East Riverside Dr

Fair

Over: Big Thompson River

0.1 Mi S of Elkhorn Ave., Larimer, CO

Built 1979 Load: 45.2 t ADT: 6,668

COUNTY ROAD CC

Fair

Over: CATLIN CANAL

.2 MI E of CR 21, Otero, CO

Built 2016 Load: 45.2 t ADT: 257

County Road 128E

Fair

Over: North Boulder Creek

3.9 Mi E of St Hwy 72, Boulder, CO

Built 1994 Load: 45.3 t ADT: 80

I 70 ML

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

3.4 MI E OF JCT SH 103, Clear Creek, CO

Built 1999 Load: 45.3 t ADT: 47,000

US 24 ML EBND

Fair

Over: FOUNTAIN CREEK

3.1 MI W OF MANITOU SPR, El Paso, CO

Built 1931 Load: 45.3 t ADT: 11,500

1002: COW CREEK

Fair

Over: Piceance Creek

19 mi NW of Rifle CO, Rio Blanco, CO

Built 2004 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 50

SH 125 ML

Fair

Over: CANADIAN RIVER

0.3 MI N OF COWDREY, Jackson, CO

Built 1981 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 940

EB PENA BLVD

Fair

Over: SECOND CREEK TRIB

WEST OF TOWER ROAD, Denver, CO

Built 1993 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 50,608

I 25 SBND

Fair

Over: WAGON RD RTD RAMP R

.2 MI S OF JCT SH 128-120, Adams, CO

Built 1992 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 67,500

I225 ML SBND

Fair

Over: ILIFF AVE

In Aurora, Arapahoe, CO

Built 2005 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 61,500

I225 ML NBND

Fair

Over: ILIFF AVE.

In Aurora, Arapahoe, CO

Built 2005 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 61,500

Showing 4,501-4,550 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.