Rio Grande County, CO truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Rio Grande 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
3 of 77 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Rio Grande County compares with Colorado
Rio Grande County against Colorado and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Rio Grande County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Rio Grande County | Colorado | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 61.2 | 32.6 | 49.7 | 1.9× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.3 | 5.1 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.53 | 0.32 | 0.49 | 1.7× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.0% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 16.0% | 14.8% | 6.2% | 1.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.7% | 25.7% | 23.7% | 12% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 14.7% | 13.2% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 29.3% | 43.5% | 41.9% | 33% below the state |
| After dark | 21.3% | 22.4% | 24.8% | same |
Rio Grande County has lower values than Colorado for morning rush (6–10 am) and winter months (nov–mar). It runs above Colorado on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
Rio Grande County at a glance: September 15.6% of truck crashes happen in September, more than any other month.
Overview
Police reported 77 crashes involving commercial trucks in Rio Grande County since 2015: 41 people were injured and 4 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 54 days.
When crashes happen
September has the most truck crashes, 15.6% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (2.6%).
November through March accounts for 29.3% of truck crashes here, compared with 43.5% in Colorado.
The busiest hour is 5–6 pm, with 11.7% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 16.0% of truck crashes, compared with 14.8% in Colorado.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-160 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (3). After it: US-285 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
3 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.9% share (Colorado: 2.8%).
Route planning tips for Rio Grande County fleets
- Plan September schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Rio Grande County.
- Check whether your routes use US-160, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- With 16.0% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Colorado), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
This report uses the FMCSA crash file (reported crashes of trucks over 10,000 lb) and NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes). It reports the numbers without guessing at reasons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Rio Grande County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Rio Grande County) |
|---|---|
| US-160 | 3 |
| US-285 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Rio Grande County) |
|---|---|
| Hwy 160 At Mp 201 | 4 |
| Cr 8 S At Cr 3 | 2 |
| Hwy 112 92 Feetw If Cr 7 | 2 |
| Hwy 160 At Mp 181 | 2 |
| Hwy 160 At Mp 191 | 2 |
| Hwy 285 At Hwy 112 | 2 |
| Hwy 64 2,640 Feet E Of Mp 38 | 2 |
| Park Avenue | 2 |
Rio Grande County at a glance
| Population | 11,132 |
| Land area | 912.0 sq mi |
| Density | 12 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $63,375 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Rio Grande 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 | 7 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 6 | -13% | 0.5 |
| 2010s | 8 | +28% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 5 | -36% | 0.2 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 7 to 5. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.5 a year in 2016–19 and 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Rio Grande County
ZIP codes in Rio Grande County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Rio Grande County
How common are truck crashes in Rio Grande County?
77 truck crashes have been reported in Rio Grande County since 2015, with 4 deaths and 41 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Rio Grande County?
Since 2015, US-160 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes in Rio Grande County: 3.
When do most truck crashes happen in Rio Grande County?
The worst month is September: 15.6% of truck crashes in Rio Grande County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Rio Grande County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 3 reported crashes in Rio Grande County since 2015 (3.9% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in Rio Grande County compare with Colorado?
The yearly rate is 61.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Rio Grande County, vs 32.6 for Colorado.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Rio Grande 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.