In a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenges for pedestrian safety, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), along with Bicycle Colorado, has launched a campaign aimed at promoting awareness around the issue. According to CDOT, pedestrian deaths in Colorado have risen sharply by 88% since 2015, a statistic that casts a shadow over the state's road safety record.
The timely initiative kicked off in Colorado Springs, where signs went up in Memorial Park spotlighting the grim reality. In 2024 alone, 120 pedestrians lost their lives, making it the deadliest year yet. October, which is right before Pedestrian Safety Month and marks the end of daylight saving time, often sees a spike in such fatalities. Last year, October claimed 17 lives, according to CDOT. The department's move also underscores the urgency of safety measures as days shorten and pedestrians become more vulnerable.
An alarming uptick in El Paso County specifically has caught the attention of safety advocates and lawmakers alike, where pedestrian fatalities saw a 167% increase from 10 years prior. CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk stressed the importance of shared vigilance, "Simply put, the safety of pedestrians is the safety of all roadway users," he said, as obtained by CDOT.
Ensuring the safety of those who travel by foot or bike is a collective responsibility that isn't limited by modes of travel. Colonel Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, echoed this sentiment in efforts to mitigate the mounting death toll: "Cars do not own our roadways, which is why we need to share the road so that all travelers, no matter their mode of travel, arrive safely at their destinations." Packard told the CDOT. With most pedestrian fatalities occurring outside of crosswalks and increasingly during nighttime hours, the plea for cautious driving and adherence to traffic laws becomes even more pronounced.
Colorado pedestrian laws stress the right-of-way for pedestrians in crosswalks, the illegality of jaywalking, and the requirement for pedestrians to use sidewalks or face oncoming traffic when none are available. Pete Piccolo, Executive Director of Bicycle Colorado, reinforces this, "Vulnerable road users simply do not have the protections of those inside vehicles. Our team is determined to keep all travelers safe, especially those outside of vehicles who bike, walk and roll," as per CDOT. His statement, part of the broader campaign message, encourages compliance with traffic laws designed to protect everyone on the road.
