As Northern Colorado endures another stretch of bitter cold, new state data shows how quickly roadway risks rise when conditions — or behavior — change.
As Northern Colorado drivers bundle up for subzero mornings and icy commutes, state transportation officials are using the contrast between winter conditions and last year’s unseasonably warm months to underscore a serious message: safer driving choices matter year-round.
Preliminary data released by the Colorado Department of Transportation shows 701 people were killed on Colorado roadways in 2025, up from 689 in 2024. While the increase is modest, officials say it reversed what had been a promising trend — and highlights how quickly risk can spike when more people are on the roads.
According to the data, traffic deaths were on pace for a 7 percent decline until unusually warm weather in November and December drew more drivers, cyclists, and motorcyclists onto roadways, particularly along the Front Range. During those two months, fatalities jumped 70 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Motorcycle crashes, which are closely tied to warmer conditions, surged dramatically during that time…