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

SH 348 ML

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

2 MI W of Olathe, Montrose, CO

Built 1982 Load: 46.4 t ADT: 940

SH 202 ML

Fair

Over: CATLIN CANAL

1.4 MI W OF ROCKY FORD, Otero, CO

Built 1986 Load: 46.4 t ADT: 180

COUNTY ROAD 3

Fair

Over: ANDY CREEK

7.7 MI NE OF SH 50, Pueblo, CO

Built 1975 Load: 46.4 t ADT: 1,631

CHEROKEE STREET

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

NE OF WB I70 EXIT, Clear Creek, CO

Built 1995 Load: 46.4 t ADT: 493

County Road U

Fair

Over: Gordon Creek

0.4 Mi. N. of Co. Rd. 4, Washington, CO

Built 2000 Load: 46.4 t ADT: 20

ASTROZON BLVD

Fair

Over: MAIN STREAM

0.3 MI N OF DRENNAN ROAD, El Paso, CO

Built 1982 Load: 46.6 t ADT: 3,631

RUSSELLVILLE ROAD

Fair

Over: CHERRY CREEK TRIBUTARY

2.9 MI N OF HIGHWAY 83, Douglas, CO

Built 2002 Load: 46.6 t ADT: 1,584

US 50 ML

Fair

Over: ARKANSAS RIVER

1.7 MI E OF N. AVONDALE, Pueblo, CO

Built 1955 Load: 46.6 t ADT: 4,100

Airport Road

Fair

Over: Dry Creek

0.1 Mi N of Buckthorn Dr., Boulder, CO

Built 1994 Load: 46.6 t ADT: 11,244

County Road 23E

Fair

Over: Home Supply Ditch

0.4 Mi N of Co Rd 18, Larimer, CO

Built 1986 Load: 46.6 t ADT: 1,075

County Road 10

Fair

Over: Blue River

On Spring Creek Road, Grand, CO

Built 1993 Load: 46.7 t ADT: 150

SH 58 ML

Fair

Over: CO.RD RR SPUR

EAST OF GOLDEN, Jefferson, CO

Built 2010 Load: 46.7 t ADT: 19,000

I 25 ML

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE DITCH

JUST NW OF I25 & SANT, Denver, CO

Built 2016 Load: 46.7 t ADT: 27,000

County Road 17.7

Fair

Over: N. Sterling Inlet Canal

1.0 Mi. No. of Co. Line, Logan, CO

Built 1995 Load: 46.7 t ADT: 63

US 160 ML

Fair

Over: EMPIRE CANAL

12 MI W OF ALAMOSA, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1972 Load: 46.7 t ADT: 7,700

IRR# CO RD 500

Fair

Over: SAN JUAN RIVER

11.5 MI SW OF PAGOSA SPGS, Archuleta, CO

Built 1992 Load: 46.8 t ADT: 163

CHAMBERS ROAD

Fair

Over: FULTON DITCH

.5 MI SOUTH OF BROMLEY, Adams, CO

Built 2000 Load: 46.8 t ADT: 804

HANDLE ROAD

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

2.25 MI E OF ELLICOTT HWY, El Paso, CO

Built 1991 Load: 46.8 t ADT: 53

County Road 11

Fair

Over: Larimer and Weld Canal

0.1 Mi N of CR 54, Larimer, CO

Built 1963 Load: 46.8 t ADT: 95

US 160 ML

Fair

Over: UP RR

2 MI W OF WALSENBURG, Huerfano, CO

Built 1990 Load: 46.8 t ADT: 6,300

CR200-RED CRK SPGS

Fair

Over: MINNEQUA CANAL

2.2 MI SW OF SH 96, Pueblo, CO

Built 2014 Load: 46.8 t ADT: 172

SWAN MOUNTAIN RD

Fair

Over: BLUE RIVER

.2 MILE EAST OF HIGHWAY 9, Summit, CO

Built 1993 Load: 46.9 t ADT: 3,594

NB SPEER BLVD

Fair

Over: LITTLE RAVEN ST

0.25 MI E OF PLATTE RIVER, Denver, CO

Built 1990 Load: 46.9 t ADT: 20,687

SB SPEER BLVD

Fair

Over: LITTLE RAVEN ST

0.25 MI E OF PLATTE RIVER, Denver, CO

Built 1990 Load: 46.9 t ADT: 20,504

COUNTY ROAD 64

Fair

Over: PRIVATE DRIVE

3.2 MI. W OF US285, Jefferson, CO

Built 1995 Load: 46.9 t ADT: 1,586

COUNTY ROAD 126

Fair

Over: SOUTH PLATTE RIVER

AT THE TOWN OF DECKERS, Jefferson, CO

Built 1997 Load: 46.9 t ADT: 944

US 6 ML

Fair

Over: I 70 ML

3 MI E OF DEBEQUE, Mesa, CO

Built 1980 Load: 46.9 t ADT: 1,200

MINERAL AVE

Fair

Over: HIGHLINE CANAL

.2 MI W OF WINDERMERE, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1981 Load: 46.9 t ADT: 29,265

County Road 71

Fair

Over: North St. Vrain Creek

30 Ft So of US Hwy 36, Boulder, CO

Built 1991 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 178

SH 225 RAMP

Fair

Over: PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS

IN AURORA, Arapahoe, CO

Built 2003 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 52,000

SH 47 SBND

Fair

Over: TROY AVE

2.4 MI EAST OF JCT I25, Pueblo, CO

Built 1996 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 8,000

SH 287 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

SH 287/DRAW, Baca, CO

Built 2011 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 3,500

COUNTY ROAD EE

Fair

Over: SANGRE DE CRISTO CREEK

.2 MI S OF SH 160, Costilla, CO

Built 1991 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 138

31ST ST

Fair

Over: SOUTH PLATTE RIVER

31ST ST AT ARKINS CT, Denver, CO

Built 1974 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 4,395

CR 168/4 MILE LN

Fair

Over: DRY ARROYO

.1 MI N OF US 50, Fremont, CO

Built 2000 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 398

COUNTY ROAD J.2

Fair

Over: SANCHEZ CANAL

1 MI SE OF CR 21, Costilla, CO

Built 1988 Load: 47.2 t ADT: 217

SH 257 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

1.8 MI NO OF JCT US 34, Weld, CO

Built 1963 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 12,000

COUNTY ROAD 3300

Fair

Over: LEROUX CREEK

.8 MI N OF SH 92, Delta, CO

Built 1984 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 79

Confluence Dr.

Fair

Over: RR Spur

0.4 Mi W of SH50, Delta, CO

Built 2013 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 5,474

YODER ROAD

Fair

Over: POND CREEK

3.2 MI S OF YODER, El Paso, CO

Built 1985 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 747

RAMP TO SH470 EBND

Fair

Over: SH W470 ML R

I70 WBND to 470 EBND RAMP, Jefferson, CO

Built 1988 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 35,000

COUNTY ROAD 7

Fair

Over: ARKANSAS RIVER

350 FT SE OF US 50, Fremont, CO

Built 1996 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 119

SH 86 ML

Fair

Over: GOLD CREEK

JUST W. OF ELIZABETH, Elbert, CO

Built 1977 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 9,100

SH 71 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

15 MI N OF LIMON, Lincoln, CO

Built 1978 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 1,300

CO RD 740

Fair

Over: EAST RIVER

.2 mi east of SH 135, Gunnison, CO

Built 1998 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 3,622

SH 94 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

4.0 MI E OF JCT US 24, El Paso, CO

Built 1980 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 9,900

CO RD 53

Fair

Over: ILIFF PLATTE VLH DITCH

0.9 MI N of CO RD 46, Logan, CO

Built 2014 Load: 47.3 t ADT: 44

TOWER ROAD

Fair

Over: PINEY CREEK

0.4 MI S OF ORCHARD RD, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1998 Load: 47.4 t ADT: 4,463

US 34-D EBND

Fair

Over: US 34 ML

6 MI E OF JCT I-25, Weld, CO

Built 1977 Load: 47.4 t ADT: 7,000

COUNTY ROAD E.5

Fair

Over: SAN FRANCISCO CREEK

200 FT S OF CR J.2, Costilla, CO

Built 1996 Load: 47.4 t ADT: 55

Showing 4,601-4,650 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.