Arapahoe County, CO truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Arapahoe County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
5.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 3.2 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Arapahoe County compares with Colorado
Arapahoe County against Colorado and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Arapahoe County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Arapahoe County | Colorado | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 17.3 | 32.6 | 49.7 | 47% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.2 | 5.1 | 3.4 | 37% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.29 | 0.32 | 0.49 | 9% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.7% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.7× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 10.5% | 14.8% | 6.2% | 29% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.2% | 25.7% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.8% | 13.2% | 13.8% | 26% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 38.6% | 43.5% | 41.9% | 11% below the state |
| After dark | 23.3% | 22.4% | 24.8% | same |
Arapahoe County sits below Colorado on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share.
The headline for Arapahoe County: 1 in 21 garbage-truck share of crashes is 4.7%, against 2.8% for Colorado.
Overview
Arapahoe County has recorded 1,358 truck crashes since 2015, with 403 people injured and 42 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 3 days.
When crashes happen
July has the most truck crashes, 9.7% of the yearly total, while March has the fewest (6.9%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 38.6% of truck crashes, against 43.5% across Colorado.
By time of day, 1–2 pm stands out with 8.3% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 10.5% of truck crashes, compared with 14.8% in Colorado.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks in Arapahoe County is I-70, with 9 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. After it: I-225 (3), E Mississippi Ave (2) and SR-30 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 63 of the truck crashes here, or 4.6%, compared with 2.8% in Colorado.
Their busiest month is February, with 13% of garbage-truck crashes.
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 5.0, vs 3.2 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for Arapahoe County fleets
- Plan July schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Arapahoe County.
- Look at alternatives to I-70 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Waste haulers: February is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Arapahoe County.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Arapahoe County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Arapahoe County) |
|---|---|
| I-70 | 9 |
| I-225 | 3 |
| E Mississippi Ave | 2 |
| SR-30 | 2 |
| US-85 | 2 |
| CR-E Quincy Ave | 1 |
| CR-GUN Club Rd | 1 |
| CR-S Watkins Rd | 1 |
| E Alameda Pkwy | 1 |
| E County Line Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Arapahoe County) |
|---|---|
| I-25 | 39 |
| I 25 At Mp 198 | 10 |
| I 25 At Mp 196 | 10 |
| I 225 At E Mississippi Ave | 10 |
| E Arapahoe Rd | 10 |
| I70 .90 Miles E Of Mp 312 | 9 |
| E Belleview Ave | 7 |
| E470 At Mp 7 | 6 |
Arapahoe County at a glance
| Population | 666,918 |
| Land area | 797.9 sq mi |
| Density | 836 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $106,321 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Arapahoe County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 67 | — | 2.1 |
| 2000s | 113 | +69% | 2.8 |
| 2010s | 105 | -7% | 2.6 |
| 2020s | 119 | +13% | 3.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 67 a year in the 1990s and 119 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 3.0 a year in 2016–19, 3.8 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Arapahoe County
ZIP codes in Arapahoe County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Arapahoe County
How many truck accidents are there in Arapahoe County?
Arapahoe County has had 1,358 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 403 people and killing 42.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Arapahoe County?
I-70 had 9 fatal crashes involving a large truck in Arapahoe County since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Arapahoe County?
The worst month is July: 9.7% of truck crashes in Arapahoe County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Arapahoe County?
Since 2015, Arapahoe County has reported 63 garbage-truck crashes, or 4.6% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Arapahoe County compared with Colorado?
Per 100,000 residents, Arapahoe County has 17.3 truck crashes a year; Colorado has 32.6.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Arapahoe County?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.