New safety fencing and a slightly higher railing at the Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City appear to line up with a steep drop in suicides from the storied span. Fremont County and state records show no deaths tied to the bridge from 2022 through 2024. Families of victims and park staff say the engineering tweaks, together with routine patrols, have made the crossing harder to climb and given crews more time to intervene.
As reported by The Denver Gazette, the Fremont County coroner and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment found zero entries using the keywords “royal,” “gorge,” or “bridge” in death records for 2022 through 2024. The paper quoted Denny Dore, marketing manager for The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, saying crews strengthened the outer perimeter after a 2021 state inspection and raised the railing to about 53 inches. Park spokespeople told the Gazette that some changes are kept proprietary to avoid tipping off would-be jumpers to potential workarounds.
What was changed on the span
The park operator describes the bridge walkway as an 18-foot-wide path made up of roughly 1,257 wooden planks, suspended about 956 feet above the Arkansas River and supported by two 300 ton cables, according to the attraction’s official site. That scale, officials say, is why the company focused on welded wire anti-climb fencing and targeted reinforcements rather than installing a full safety net. Park managers also say rangers and staff routinely patrol the bridge and receive training to spot at-risk behavior, which they describe as one layer in a broader prevention strategy, according to the Royal Gorge Bridge.
How the results compare
Public health experts often point to other landmark bridges to show how physical barriers work in practice. The Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District reports that its suicide deterrent net was completed on Jan. 1, 2024, according to the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge recorded eight deaths in 2024, a roughly 73 percent drop from historical averages, and just four deaths in 2025, a further decline, as covered by the San Francisco Chronicle. Advocates say the comparison strengthens their argument that engineering barriers are an evidence-based prevention tool.
Survivors press for transparency
Survivors and relatives say more openness about the safety work at Royal Gorge could further discourage attempts. Jay Valusek, who lost his daughter Elizabeth Anne "Beth" Valusek in 2018, told reporters he noticed the new fencing and later obtained records that suggested fewer reported suicide incidents at the site. The Denver Gazette reported his account and noted that he has been pressing for more public information. City officials told the paper the company requested permission to modify the railing, paid for the work itself, and that some design details are kept private so potential jumpers are not given a blueprint for getting around the barriers.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text HOME to 741741 to reach trained counselors; both services operate 24/7. If there is immediate danger, call 911. Mental health researchers and advocacy groups say structural changes at known jump sites work best when paired with easy access to crisis services, trained staff, and community outreach, according to the 988 Lifeline and Crisis Text Line.
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