Last year, Colorado saw a record 165 motorcyclist fatalities, with September 2024 marking the deadliest month as 33 riders lost their lives. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), motorcycle deaths have increased by 57% since 2015. As fall approaches, CDOT is urging both motorcyclists and other drivers to prioritize safety on the roads.
Motorcycles made up nearly one-quarter of all traffic deaths in Colorado last year, despite representing only about 3% of vehicles on state roads. In addition to fatalities, there were 774 serious injury crashes involving motorcycles in the same period.
“Many riders do the right thing — they ride sober, avoid distractions and follow traffic laws,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “But there are those who fail to protect themselves and others when out on the road. Aggressive riding and the decision to forego safety gear increase the risk of a serious injury or death in a crash. By changing two habits —wearing a helmet and adhering to the speed limit —we can prevent dozens of needless tragedies. Don’t risk your future. Your safety matters.”
CDOT data shows that in 2024, motorcycle fatalities varied each month, peaking at 33 in September and dropping as low as zero in January. Nearly half (44%) of those killed last year were not wearing helmets. In response, CDOT launched a campaign this May aimed at encouraging helmet use and promoting protective gear among riders.
This autumn, CDOT plans to collaborate with traffic safety advocates statewide and provide resources such as communications toolkits and variable message signs to promote awareness and reduce motorcycle-related crashes.
“While motorcycle deaths are down 15% so far this year compared to the same period in 2024, an alarming rise in fatal motorcycle crashes remains,” said CDOT’s Executive Director Shoshana Lew.“Let’s all do our part to prevent tragedies. Motorcyclists should gear up for every ride and obey the speed limit. Drivers of passenger cars and trucks should always look twice for motorcyclists and give them plenty of space. We all need to share the road safely.”
A new law passed in Colorado during 2024 now allows motorcycles to pass between vehicles stopped on roadways—a practice known as lane filtering—which aims to lower rear-end collision risks for motorcyclists by letting them move through stationary traffic more safely. Lane filtering differs from lane splitting; while lane filtering involves moving through stopped traffic traveling in the same direction, lane splitting—riding between lanes of moving vehicles—remains illegal in Colorado.
