The chief of the Colorado State Patrol has called for motorists and motorcyclists to “look out for one another” on the roadways to ensure everyone gets home safely.
Speaking during May’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Col Matthew Packard’s comments come after new figures have revealed 15 motorcyclists have already lost their lives in the state in 2026, the deadliest start to a year for motorcyclists in Colorado since 2017.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) said helmets remain the primary countermeasure to reduce serious injury and death and said nearly half of all motorcyclists killed in Colorado over the last five years were not wearing a helmet.
Since 2015, 58% of the state’s total motorcycle fatalities have occurred between June and September. Last year, 148 motorcyclists were killed on Colorado roads, accounting for 21% of all traffic deaths. Motorcycle fatalities have increased by nearly 90% over the past 15 years.
“This Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, CDOT is raising awareness about the alarming increase in motorcyclist fatalities in Colorado, particularly with a warm winter and spring,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “It is imperative for all road users to exercise caution and follow the laws that protect themselves and others.”
CDOT has offered the following safety tips:
- Observe all traffic laws and always obey the speed limit
- Always drive and ride sober. Even one drink can affect you
- Avoid distractions that take your eyes off the road, such as phones
- Yield to motorcyclists, especially while turning at intersections
- Wear high-visibility personal protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets. Learn how to identify a safe, DOT-compliant helmet on NHTSA’s motorcycle safety page
- Remember, lane filtering is legal in Colorado as of 2024.
