Denver police confirmed Thursday, July 2, that the juvenile bicyclist struck on May 7 in the 3400 block of West Colfax Avenue has died from their injuries, and that the motorist involved will not face criminal charges. The announcement caps a months-long investigation into the collision, which left the bicyclist hospitalized. The city has not released the juvenile’s name or age.
In a brief post on X, the Denver Police Department said "the juvenile bicyclist involved in this crash died" and that "the motorist is not facing charges" after investigators reviewed the case. The update did not spell out what specific evidence was examined.
As first reported by Denver7, the collision happened on May 7 on the 3400 block of West Colfax Avenue, and the bicyclist was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. Denver7 reported that, according to DPD, the bicyclist was traveling southbound on the west crosswalk and did not obey the pedestrian crosswalk signal, while the driver had a green light and the right of way.
What investigators found
According to the department, officers and crash investigators documented the scene, interviewed witnesses, and reviewed other available evidence before deciding not to recommend criminal charges. That finding means prosecutors are not pursuing criminal counts tied to the May 7 collision at this time.
Colfax corridor safety and broader trends
Per the Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure, West Colfax has been included in neighborhood mobility and safety studies that focus on cutting down collisions involving people walking and biking. Those efforts are unfolding against a troubling statewide backdrop.
The CDOT reports that pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities across Colorado have climbed roughly 78% since 2015, a trend transportation officials say highlights the need for changes in street design and public education to better protect vulnerable road users.
Police have not released additional details about the evidence in this case and have not named the motorist. This story will be updated if Denver police or city officials provide more information.
