Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Fort Collins, CO (2024)

Colorado is a beautiful state that is, unfortunately, home to some particularly treacherous roadways and intersections. Several of these are located in the bustling city of Fort Collins, which is home to over a quarter million Colorado residents. It is also home to over 3,000 car crashes annually. If you’ve been involved in a car crash, contact an experienced Fort Collins car accident attorney, like those at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, as soon as possible.

By looking at traffic data from past years and examining recent news reports about planned improvements, we can analyze the state of Fort Collins intersection safety going into 2024. We hope you and your family can use this information to stay a bit safer as you travel around Fort Collins.

The Worst Intersections in Fort Collins, CO

There are a few different ways to measure how bad any particular intersection is, with potential markers ranging from fatal accidents to the number of citations issued by police at that location. The total number of crashes that occur at a given intersection is typically the single most important variable that goes into calculating how dangerous an intersection is.

The local radio station, K99, counted College Ave. & Horsetooth, College Ave. & Trilby, Mason & Harmony, Lemay & Harmony, and Lemay & Drake Rd. among its least favorites in a 2024 post. This was based on city data from the late 2010s.

Data from the 2022 roadway safety report sees the title of Fort Collins’s “most dangerous intersection” taken away from College & Horsetooth and sent down the road to the intersection at College Ave. & Drake Rd. The Coloradan reported on this intersection in the summer of 2024, describing it as “a daily chaotic convergence.”

The common thread among all of these intersections is fairly straightforward, as they are each some of the city’s busiest. That doesn’t mean high numbers of accidents are inevitable at busy intersections, however. The city can take proactive steps to increase safety at problem intersections and is already doing so.

Fixing Fort Collins’ Most Dangerous Intersections and Roads

College Ave. & Horsetooth was the city’s most dangerous intersection as recently as the late 2010s. However, it’s not by accident that it no longer holds that title. In fact, the city spent $7.5 responding to the safety issues at that particular intersection. The results were a significant reduction in total traffic accidents. Today, College Ave. & Horsetooth is no longer found on the list of most dangerous intersections within the city’s traffic safety report.

The city intends to respond in a similar way to the new most dangerous intersection at College Ave., with improvements such as additional left turn lanes and amenities for pedestrians and cyclists slated for 2026.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Deadliest Highway in Colorado?

A: While there are different ways to go about measuring the deadliness of any particular stretch of road, people are usually referring to the so-called “Highway of Death” when they mention Colorado’s “deadliest highway.” This stretch of US 287 connects Durango, Silverton, and Ouray through the San Juan Mountains and combines breathtaking mountain scenery with an unsettling lack of guardrails and challenging, winding paths that seem to barely cling to the mountainside.

The grisly nickname is not merely local embellishment but is unfortunately well earned, with more than 400 lives being lost to the highway since the 1990s.

Q: Does Colorado Have the Worst Roads?

A: There are many different ways to measure how good or bad any particular road is, and in fact, the worst roads can be completely different from one driver to the next depending on their vehicle, their skills behind the wheel, and their subjective personal preferences. While Colorado roadways can present many challenges for drivers – especially inexperienced drivers operating in mountainous areas during inclement weather – we do not know of any compelling, data-driven arguments for calling Colorado’s roads the “worst.”

Q: How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Settle a Claim in Colorado?

A: Unfortunately for Colorado residents, state law is not very specific in this area and only mandates that claims are settled “reasonably promptly.” If you believe an insurance company involved in your claim is failing to meet this obligation, working with the reputable attorneys at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard may be one of the most effective ways to ensure you are being treated fairly and are steering your case to a more expeditious resolution.

Q: Do You Have to Report a Single Car Accident in Colorado?

A: In general, you should report any single-car accident. Prompt reporting of any car accident is especially important if you or someone else has been injured, if you will be filing an insurance claim, and/or if you intend to seek compensation for damages and injuries. Even if you were the only motorist involved in your accident, it may be possible to hold a negligible party accountable for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

As an example, consider a situation where a lone motorist drives into a dangerous construction area after working hours because a detour was not properly marked. Although they were the only person involved in the accident, the negligence of the party responsible for marking the construction site and detour may be a basis for seeking compensation for any injuries suffered in the incident.

Cheney Galluzzi & Howard. Powerful and Effective Legal Solutions for Injured Motorists, Pedestrians, and Cyclists

If you have been injured in a car crash or pedestrian accident in one of Fort Collins’ busy intersections, you may be entitled to recover compensation. The lawyers at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard are ready to help you develop and implement a winning legal solution that can maximize the settlement involved with your personal injury case or insurance claim.

With our experience and skill, we can work to obtain a favorable outcome that provides the recovery you need. We offer compassionate, confidential legal advice that empowers you to move forward with your claim with confidence. If you’ve been injured in a Fort Collins car accident, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.