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

US 36 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

9.2 MI E OF JCT US 385, Yuma, CO

Built 1958 Load: 57.7 t ADT: 330

I 76 ML WBND

Fair

Over: BOX ELDER CRK FRM. ACCES

27.9 MI SW OF JCT SH 144, Weld, CO

Built 2000 Load: 57.8 t ADT: 10,500

COUNTY ROAD 23.5

Fair

Over: GRAND VALLEY CANAL

.4 MI N OF RD I, Mesa, CO

Built 1992 Load: 57.9 t ADT: 53

IRR# CO.RD. G

Fair

Over: MCELMO CREEK

11.9 MI W OF CORTEZ, Montezuma, CO

Built 2002 Load: 58.0 t ADT: 646

YORK STREET

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

72ND AND YORK, Adams, CO

Built 1965 Load: 58.0 t ADT: 13,608

SH 52 ML

Fair

Over: LOWER BOULDER CANAL

3.7 MI E OF JCT US 287, Weld, CO

Built 1963 Load: 58.0 t ADT: 14,000

COUNTY RD 75.1

Fair

Over: PURGATOIRE RIVER

.3 MI S OF CR 32.0, Las Animas, CO

Built 1998 Load: 58.0 t ADT: 353

County Road 51B

Fair

Over: N Fork Big Thompson Riv.

50 Ft N of Co Rd 43, Larimer, CO

Built 1977 Load: 58.0 t ADT: 293

US 50 ML

Fair

Over: WELLS GULCH

3.5 MI S OF MESA COUNTY L, Delta, CO

Built 1955 Load: 58.1 t ADT: 9,800

US 50 ML

Fair

Over: CATLIN CANAL

0.6 MI EAST OF MANZANOLA, Otero, CO

Built 1969 Load: 58.1 t ADT: 5,600

Mountain Vista Dr

Fair

Over: Brewery Drainage Pond

0.27 MI W of I-25, Larimer, CO

Built 1987 Load: 58.3 t ADT: 5,552

US 491 ML

Fair

Over: COAL BED CREEK

5.2 MI NW OF JCT SH 141 M, Dolores, CO

Built 1970 Load: 58.3 t ADT: 2,600

SH 109 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

20.9 MI SOUTH OF LA JUNTA, Otero, CO

Built 1972 Load: 58.3 t ADT: 350

US 34 ML

Fair

Over: LOVELAND-GREELEY CANAL

2.9 MI E OF JCT I 25, Weld, CO

Built 1934 Load: 58.4 t ADT: 43,000

EB PENA BLVD

Fair

Over: FUTURE PICADILLY RD

0.4 MI EAST OF E-470, Denver, CO

Built 1992 Load: 58.4 t ADT: 69,239

I 70 ML WBND

Fair

Over: US 6 ML

3.6 MI W OF JCT SH 13 (RI, Garfield, CO

Built 1975 Load: 58.5 t ADT: 10,000

COUNTY ROAD 3E

Fair

Over: FARMERS UNION LATERAL

AT CR 3E AND 11N, Rio Grande, CO

Built 1996 Load: 58.6 t ADT: 1,002

RAMP TO SH 470 EBD

Fair

Over: ROONEY RD

0.04 MI E - JCT SH 470 +, Jefferson, CO

Built 1987 Load: 58.7 t ADT: 35,000

CR T60/USFS RD 638

Fair

Over: DEEP CREEK

2 MI NE OF SH 145, San Miguel, CO

Built 2005 Load: 58.7 t ADT: 171

BELLEVIEW AVE

Fair

Over: GOLDSMITH GULCH

JUST E OF DTC BLVD, Denver, CO

Built 1986 Load: 58.8 t ADT: 20,376

I 25 ML NBND

Fair

Over: DRAW

11.2MI N OF JCT US 50 W S, Pueblo, CO

Built 1958 Load: 58.9 t ADT: 17,500

STREAMSIDE ROAD

Fair

Over: GORE CREEK

0.01 MI S OF I-70 W ENTRA, Eagle, CO

Built 1997 Load: 58.9 t ADT: 1,230

SCOTT ROAD

Fair

Over: BIG SPRING CREEK

0.1 MI W OF ELLICOTT HWY, El Paso, CO

Built 1994 Load: 59.0 t ADT: 32

East 1st Street

Fair

Over: Local Drainage

150 Ft E of Kirk Street, Broomfield, CO

Built 1999 Load: 59.1 t ADT: 6,265

US 85 ML

Fair

Over: THIRD CREEK

6 MI NO OF JCT I-76, Adams, CO

Built 1953 Load: 59.1 t ADT: 34,000

SH 86 ML

Fair

Over: BIG SANDY CREEK

0.4 MI S. OF I 70, Elbert, CO

Built 1973 Load: 59.1 t ADT: 880

County Road 20.5

Fair

Over: N. Sterling Inlet Canal

At Jct with Co Rd 23, Logan, CO

Built 2000 Load: 59.1 t ADT: 83

SH 470 ML EBND

Fair

Over: SH 121-WADSWORTH BLVD

13.9 MI E - JCT SH 470 +, Jefferson, CO

Built 1987 Load: 59.3 t ADT: 30,500

US 36 ML

Fair

Over: DRAW

12 MI E OF BYERS, Adams, CO

Built 1987 Load: 59.3 t ADT: 790

6TH STREET

Fair

Over: RITO SECO

50 FT E OF SH 159, Costilla, CO

Built 1990 Load: 59.6 t ADT: 257

REDLANDS PARKWAY

Fair

Over: REDLANDS 2ND LIFT CANAL

0.5 MI S OF HWY 340, Mesa, CO

Built 2000 Load: 59.8 t ADT: 6,017

I 25 ML NBND+SBND

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE DITCH

.6 MI N OF JCT SH 83-ACAD, El Paso, CO

Built 1986 Load: 59.8 t ADT: 38,500

SH 7 ML

Fair

Over: NORTH ST VRAIN CREEK

10 MI SE OF ESTES PARK, Boulder, CO

Built 1973 Load: 60.1 t ADT: 1,800

Kechter Road

Fair

Over: McClellands Channel

200 Ft. E Lady Moon Dr., Larimer, CO

Built 2002 Load: 60.1 t ADT: 9,116

SH 470 RAMP

Fair

Over: US 6 ML

NEAR GOLDEN, Jefferson, CO

Built 1999 Load: 60.2 t ADT: 25,000

County Road 49

Fair

Over: Sand Creek

0.5 Mi. N. of Co. Rd. 12, Sedgwick, CO

Built 1984 Load: 60.3 t ADT: 17

MULTIPLE STREETS

Fair

Over: CAMP CREEK

ECHO LANE US HIGHWAY 24, El Paso, CO

Built 1960 Load: 60.4 t ADT: 614

SH 14 ML

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

MULBERRY andTIMBERLINE RD, Larimer, CO

Built 1999 Load: 60.5 t ADT: 33,000

NWP Ramp

Fair

Over: WB Dillon Road

5.57 MI FROM I-25, Broomfield, CO

Built 2002 Load: 60.5 t ADT: 2,500

CR230/BURNT MILL

Fair

Over: ST. CHARLES RIVER

4.0 MI SE OF BEULAH, Pueblo, CO

Built 1985 Load: 60.7 t ADT: 70

SH 348 ML

Fair

Over: Montrose & Delta Can

2.1 MI SE OF PEA GREEN CO, Montrose, CO

Built 1963 Load: 60.9 t ADT: 270

DAHLIA STREET

Fair

Over: OBRIAN CANAL

200 FT S OF I-76, Adams, CO

Built 2010 Load: 61.3 t ADT: 10,521

County Road 28

Fair

Over: Elkhead Res. Spillway

0.9 mi SE of Co.RD. 29, Moffat, CO

Built 2006 Load: 61.3 t ADT: 101

COUNTY ROAD 37

Fair

Over: HELL CREEK

1.6 MILES N OF ROAD 3K, Lincoln, CO

Built 1997 Load: 61.4 t ADT: 18

SH 96 ML

Fair

Over: BESSEMER DITCH

2.5 MI W OF SH45, Pueblo, CO

Built 1970 Load: 61.5 t ADT: 4,000

WB PENA BLVD

Fair

Over: FUTURE PICADILLY RD

0.4 MI EAST OF E-470, Denver, CO

Built 1992 Load: 61.6 t ADT: 69,239

COUNTY ROAD 44

Fair

Over: TRIB N.FORK CIMARRON RVR

1 MI N OF CR S, Baca, CO

Built 1960 Load: 61.8 t ADT: 138

TOWER ROAD

Fair

Over: LOCAL DRAINAGE

JUST SOUTH OF 62ND AVENUE, Denver, CO

Built 1999 Load: 61.8 t ADT: 23,498

BROADWAY

Fair

Over: HIGHLINE CANAL

0.5 MI N OF ARAPAHOE RD, Arapahoe, CO

Built 1974 Load: 62.1 t ADT: 35,473

BRADLEY ROAD

Fair

Over: E JIMMY CAMP CREEK TRIB

2 MI E OF MARKSHEFFEL RD, El Paso, CO

Built 1999 Load: 62.1 t ADT: 173

Showing 4,901-4,950 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.