Denver’s growing population and ever-busy roadways have created a steady rise in traffic accidents over recent years. In 2024 alone, thousands of crashes were recorded throughout the city, ranging from minor fender benders to severe, life-threatening collisions. Understanding where and why these crashes happen is the first step toward safer streets.
All data in this report was collected via the Denver Open Data Catalog, which provides public access to official crash records. Below, we break down the most dangerous intersections, roads, and crash hotspots in the city, along with when and why these incidents are happening.
Key Takeaways from 2024 Crash Data
- Most Dangerous Intersection: I-70 Eastbound & North Peoria Street — with 103 crashes in 2024 alone.
- Fatality Hotspots: West Alameda & South Federal Blvd, and I-25 Southbound & Yale Ave led with 3 fatal crashes each.
- Peak Crash Times: 9am–12pm, especially on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Top Contributing Factors: Speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield.
- Serious Injury Locations: Crashes involving serious injuries were most common at high-speed intersections and highway exits.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Denver
Some of the city’s most crash-prone areas are traditional intersections—especially those with complex traffic patterns or heavy commuter volumes. Based on 2024 crash frequency data, these are the top 10 most dangerous intersections in Denver:
| Intersection | Crash Count |
|---|---|
| Interstate 70 Eastbound & North Peoria Street | 103 |
| Interstate 25 Northbound & West 6th Avenue | 98 |
| Interstate 25 Northbound & East Hampden Avenue | 57 |
| West 6th Avenue & North Federal Boulevard | 51 |
| Interstate 25 Southbound & 20th Street | 51 |
| Interstate 25 Northbound & Colfax Avenue | 50 |
| West Alameda Avenue & South Federal Boulevard | 47 |
| Interstate 25 Southbound & East Yale Avenue | 45 |
| South Colorado Boulevard & East Evans Avenue | 42 |
| Interstate 70 Westbound & North Peoria Street | 41 |
Factors contributing to these intersection crashes often include failure to yield, inattentive driving, and speeding during signal changes. Intersections with multiple turning lanes or limited visibility are particularly hazardous.
Denver’s Most Crash-Prone Roads and Corridors
While intersections are key hotspots, entire roads and corridors also account for significant crash volumes. The data shows that stretches of I-25, Federal Boulevard, and Colfax Avenue consistently rank among the most dangerous in the city.
| Road or Corridor | Crash Count |
|---|---|
| Interstate 25 Northbound | 377 |
| Interstate 25 Southbound | 331 |
| Interstate 70 Eastbound | 289 |
| Interstate 70 Westbound | 243 |
| West Alameda Avenue | 226 |
| South Colorado Boulevard | 210 |
| East Colfax Avenue | 195 |
| South Federal Boulevard | 179 |
| West 6th Avenue | 165 |
| South Sheridan Boulevard | 149 |
These roads often feature high speeds, multiple entry/exit ramps, and high traffic density, making them frequent sites for rear-end collisions, lane-change crashes, and high-speed impacts.
Locations with the Most Fatal Crashes
Certain locations stand out not just for crash volume, but for crash severity. The following areas saw the highest number of fatalities due to traffic accidents in 2024:
| Location | Fatal Crashes |
|---|---|
| Interstate 25 Southbound & East Yale Avenue | 3 |
| West Alameda Avenue & South Federal Boulevard | 3 |
| West 6th Avenue & North Federal Boulevard | 2 |
| Interstate 25 Northbound & West 6th Avenue | 2 |
| South Colorado Boulevard & East Evans Avenue | 2 |
| Interstate 70 Westbound & North Peoria Street | 2 |
| Interstate 70 Eastbound & North Peoria Street | 2 |
| Colfax Avenue & North Broadway | 1 |
| South Federal Boulevard & West Mississippi Avenue | 1 |
| East Colfax Avenue & Colorado Boulevard | 1 |
These zones tend to be high-speed corridors, poorly lit areas, or stretches where drivers are more likely to be impaired or distracted. Even a moment of inattention can lead to tragedy in these areas.
Where Serious Injuries Are Most Common
While fatalities understandably receive the most attention, serious (non-fatal) injuries also have long-lasting impacts. The intersections and locations below experienced the highest number of crashes resulting in serious injuries:
| Location | Serious Injury Crashes |
|---|---|
| Interstate 70 Eastbound & North Peoria Street | 5 |
| Interstate 25 Northbound & West 6th Avenue | 5 |
| West 6th Avenue & North Federal Boulevard | 4 |
| West Alameda Avenue & South Federal Boulevard | 4 |
| South Colorado Boulevard & East Evans Avenue | 4 |
| Interstate 25 Northbound & Colfax Avenue | 4 |
| South Federal Boulevard & West Mississippi Avenue | 3 |
| Interstate 25 Southbound & East Yale Avenue | 3 |
| East Colfax Avenue & Colorado Boulevard | 3 |
| Interstate 70 Westbound & North Peoria Street | 3 |
Crashes at these locations often involve vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists or result from high-speed collisions that fall just short of being fatal.
When Crashes Happen Most Often
Timing plays a major role in traffic safety. By analyzing the crash data by hour, weekday, and season, several trends emerged:
Peak Crash Times: 9am – 12pm
Most Dangerous Days: Tuesday and Friday
Seasonal Spikes: Spring and Fall
These trends point to increased risks during commute times, lunch hours, and seasonal transitions.
Common Causes of Denver Crashes
Human error continues to be the leading cause of most crashes in Denver. According to contributing factor data recorded in crash reports, these were the most common behaviors behind the wheel:
Many of these crashes could have been prevented with more cautious driving, greater attention, and better infrastructure.
Why These Areas Are So Dangerous
Why do these specific locations account for so many crashes? Here are a few recurring factors:
- High traffic volume and congestion
- Merging ramps and highway transitions
- Limited sight distance at intersections
- Inadequate lighting or signage
- Driver’s unfamiliarity with area layouts
Denver’s Vision Zero program aims to address these risks through infrastructure redesign, speed enforcement, and community education. Improvements are underway at many high-crash corridors.
Conclusion
From dangerous intersections to deadly freeway stretches, the data shows clear patterns in when, where, and why crashes occur in Denver. This information isn’t just useful—it’s essential for preventing future accidents.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a crash at one of these locations, Chalat Law is here to help. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through your rights and legal options.
Reach out today for a free consultation, and let us help you get back on the road to recovery.