Some of Colorado’s most breathtaking vistas are only reached by treacherous roads, and when the weather changes, unwary drivers can end up in dangerous situations.
Defensive driving, including knowing which routes contain the most dangerous roads in Colorado, reduces the chance of an injurious wreck. But if the worst happens and you are involved in a crash, an experienced Denver car accident lawyer can help you secure fair compensation.
Colorado’s most dangerous interstates
Most people traveling through the state use I-70 or I-25. While most stretches of these interstate highways are fairly safe, there are a few locations to be wary of.
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) warns of speeding-related accidents on I-70, especially the part of the highway known as Vail Pass, leading into the Rocky Mountains. In a recent three-year period, more than half the accidents on this part of I-70 were due to speeding. Patrolmen also warn of the dangers of sudden inclement weather on this part of I-70, which hamper visibility and increase the likelihood of a collision.
Interstate 25 also contains dangerous stretches, such as the portion that winds through El Paso County. In a recent year, El Paso County had the highest number of fatal crashes, 84, although not all were on I-25.
Colorado’s most dangerous state highways
The Denver Beltway, part of State Highway 470, is usually the quickest way to the Denver Airport, at least for people trying to avoid heavy traffic on the major interstates and highways. The Denver Beltway loops around the metro area, from Lafayette through Centennial, ending near Golden. With tens of thousands of vehicles traveling along this highway each day, including a large number of visitors, there’s a good chance of a wreck, especially during morning and evening rush hours.
Highway 160—Southern Passage, at an elevation of over 10,000’, crosses the southern edge of Colorado’s border with New Mexico. It also winds through the southern part of the mountains, crossing the Continental Divide through Wolf Creek Pass and bisecting Durango and Pagosa Peaks. This road has a higher number of DUI arrests than many other locations, which could contribute to the dangers of driving here.
US 550 – Million Dollar Highway, connecting Montrose, Colorado to Albuquerque, NM, with several famous passes in between. Although the entire route from Albuquerque to Montrose is sometimes called the Million Dollar Highway, the actual Million Dollar Highway is the section of US 550 between Silverton and Ouray. This 25-mile stretch contains three hazardous mountain passes, and although the views are incredible, the high elevation, 10,000-11,000’, means that these mountain passes are full of ice and snow in the winter, making them particularly dangerous.
Navigating Colorado’s moderately-traveled but perilous roads
Although the traffic volume on these side roads isn’t as high as I-70 or I-25, there is still plenty of travel along these passages, many of which wind deep into the Rocky Mountain passes.
- Rabbit Ears Pass, connecting Steamboat Springs and Kremmling. This part of US-40 peaks at about 9,400’ in elevation. It’s an easy route to some of the most popular cross-country skiing and snowmobiling destinations and several resorts. But, the steep drop-offs along the pass, plus heavy snow in the winter, can make it treacherous.
- Pikes Peak Highway traverses the summit of Pike’s Peak. This long, winding road offers an incredible view of the Colorado plains. However, the multiple narrow turns and switchbacks can make driving just a little over the posted speed limit hazardous. Many turns have no guardrails, so it’s even more important to keep 100% of your attention on the road.
- Imogene Pass is the most direct route to Telluride. It winds through the mountains, connecting Ouray to Telluride. Most of this stretch of road is over 13,000’ in elevation and experiences unpredictable weather and high winds.
- Loveland Pass – Highway 6, near I-70, often sees traffic jams with people leaving I-70 to get to the mountains (or leaving the mountains and heading home on I-70). It’s also a popular “back way” to Keystone Resort or Arapahoe Basin. Its icy razorback turns in the winter and narrow lanes can make it even more dangerous with heavy traffic, and accidents or reports of people getting stuck in the wintertime are common.
What to do if you’re in a crash in Colorado
Although avoiding dangerous roads is a good way to avoid getting into a crash, there are many reasons why you’d need—or want—to travel these routes. Going hiking, skiing, or just getting from one part of the state to another may necessitate driving on dangerous roads. If you’re in a wreck, always call 911 for help, and talk to an experienced car accident attorney from Zara Injury Law about your legal options. You can call us at (866) 823-8288 for a free consultation.