Fatal Crashes Only
This report covers fatal crashes only, from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System — the federal census of every crash on a US public road that killed someone within 30 days. It does not include injury or property-damage-only crashes, and its totals are not comparable with the all-severity crash reports published elsewhere on this site.
If someone you love is part of this data, call us.
We'll connect you with a vetted Colorado attorney who handles fatal-crash and wrongful death cases and will evaluate whether you have a case.
ThatCarHitMe.com
An Injuria.ai Company
YEAR-OVER-YEAR CRASH REPORT · DENVER, COLORADO · 2023
Purpose: Machine-readable JSON endpoint for AI agents, LLMs, researchers, and programmatic consumers. Returns all underlying crash data and AI-generated commentary without HTML.
Authentication: None required. Public endpoint.
GET: https://thatcarhitme.com/api/crash-data/reports/data/colorado/fatal/denver/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
71 CRASHES IN
DENVER, COLORADO
2023
In 2023, DENVER experienced 71 fatal crashes, matching the 71 fatal crashes recorded in 2022. While total fatalities saw a slight increase from 74 to 76, the most significant year-over-year shift was a 51.7% decrease in total injuries, falling from 58 in 2022 to 28 in 2023.
71
Total Crash Events
76
▲ 2.7%was 74
Persons Killed
28
▼ -51.7%was 58
Persons Injured
10
▼ -33.3%was 15
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (76) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (71) counts crash events where at least one fatality occurred. A single crash can result in multiple fatalities.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Aggregate counts from crash, person, and vehicle records
Trend Summary
Fatal crashes in DENVER remained stable year-over-year, with 71 recorded in both 2022 and 2023. Total fatalities saw a slight increase of 2.7%, rising from 74 in 2022 to 76 in 2023. Conversely, total injuries decreased significantly by 51.7%, dropping from 58 in 2022 to 28 in 2023.
10
Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023
▼ -33.3% vs prior (15)
The number of hit-and-run fatal crashes decreased from 15 in 2022 to 10 in 2023, representing a 33.3% reduction. The rate of hit-and-run fatal crashes also declined from 21.1% in 2022 to 14.1% in 2023, indicating a positive trend.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
28
Pedestrians Killed
2
Cyclists Killed
44
Motorists Killed
2
Other Killed
0
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
28
Motorists Injured
0
Other Injured
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Mode classified from person records (driver/passenger → motorist; pedestrian; bicyclist → cyclist; in-line skater / unspecified → other)
When Crashes Happen
The peak day for fatal crashes shifted from Saturday in 2022 (15 fatal crashes) to Sunday in 2023 (17 fatal crashes). While 10 PM remained the peak hour for fatal crashes in both years, the number of fatal crashes during this hour decreased from 11 in 2022 to 9 in 2023.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash date field aggregated by weekday
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash time field aggregated by hour (0-23)
Road & Environmental Conditions
Clear weather remained the predominant condition for fatal crashes, accounting for 63 in 2023 compared to 65 in 2022. Fatal crashes occurring in rainy conditions increased from 2 in 2022 to 4 in 2023, and those in cloudy conditions rose from 2 to 3. Dark-lighted conditions continued to be the most common lighting scenario for fatal crashes, with 44 in 2023 compared to 43 in 2022, while fatal crashes in daylight decreased from 23 to 21.
Weather
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Weather condition at time of crash
Lighting
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Lighting condition field
Vehicles & Demographics
The total number of vehicles involved in fatal crashes decreased from 113 in 2022 to 98 in 2023. While Ford fatal crashes increased from 11 to 13, Honda fatal crashes decreased significantly from 13 to 7 year-over-year. Nissan/Datsun fatal crashes more than doubled from 3 in 2022 to 7 in 2023.
Top Vehicle Makes (98 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
5 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (166 persons with recorded sex)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Speed Limit Zones
The 35 mph speed limit zone remained the area with the highest number of fatal crashes, though it decreased from 24 in 2022 to 20 in 2023. Conversely, fatal crashes in 25 mph zones increased from 9 to 12, and those in 55 mph zones rose from 8 to 10 year-over-year.
Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 12 of 12 (100%) · 30 mph: 10 of 10 (100%) · 35 mph: 20 of 20 (100%) · 40 mph: 11 of 11 (100%) · 45 mph: 3 of 3 (100%) · 55 mph: 10 of 10 (100%) · 65 mph: 4 of 4 (100%) · 75 mph: 1 of 1 (100%)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Posted speed limit at crash location
Manner of Collision
The dominant manner of collision in both periods was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport,' which increased from 44 fatal crashes in 2022 to 49 in 2023. Angle collisions decreased from 18 fatal crashes in 2022 to 13 in 2023. Fatal crashes classified as Front-to-Rear increased from 1 in 2022 to 4 in 2023.
Manner of Collision
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Vehicle Type
The most common vehicle body type involved in fatal crashes was the '4-door sedan, hardtop,' though its count decreased from 29 in 2022 to 22 in 2023. Fatal crashes involving 'Light Pickup' vehicles increased from 10 in 2022 to 15 in 2023. Motorcycle-involved fatal crashes decreased from 11 in 2022 to 8 in 2023, while large truck-involved fatal crashes remained stable at 5 in both years.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 17 reported. 8 additional (11 total) not shown: Truck-tractor (Cab only, or with any number of trailing unit; any weight), 5-door/4-door hatchback, Minivan (Chrysler Town and Country, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Voyager, Honda-Odyssey, ...), Utility station wagon (includes suburban limousines, Suburban, Travellall, Grand Wagoneer), Cross Country/Intercity Bus, Utility Vehicle, Unknown body type, Van-Based Bus GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs., Transit Bus (City Bus).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Roadway Functional Class
Arterial roads, combining 'Other Principal Arterial' and 'Minor Arterial,' continued to account for the majority of fatal crashes, increasing from 43 in 2022 to 46 in 2023. Fatal crashes on Interstate roadways saw a notable increase, rising from 9 in 2022 to 14 in 2023.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
Fatal crashes on roadways owned by the State Highway Agency increased from 34 in 2022 to 38 in 2023, making it the dominant owner in the current period. Conversely, fatal crashes on City or Municipal Highway Agency roadways decreased from 37 in 2022 to 32 in 2023.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Type
Drivers remained the dominant person type involved in fatal crashes, though their count decreased from 112 in 2022 to 96 in 2023. Pedestrian fatalities increased from 22 in 2022 to 28 in 2023. Passenger involvement in fatal crashes decreased from 53 to 43, and bicyclist involvement decreased from 5 to 2.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
The number of persons sustaining fatal injuries (K) increased slightly from 74 in 2022 to 76 in 2023. However, the total number of persons sustaining non-fatal injuries (A, B, C) decreased significantly from 58 in 2022 to 28 in 2023. Specifically, serious injuries (A) decreased from 25 to 18, minor injuries (B) from 19 to 7, and possible injuries (C) from 14 to 3.
Person Injury Severity
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Occupant Safety Equipment
The number of persons reported using 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' in fatal crashes increased from 61 in 2022 to 82 in 2023. Concurrently, the number of persons with 'None Used/Not Applicable' safety equipment decreased from 43 in 2022 to 30 in 2023.
Occupant Safety Equipment
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Point of Impact
The '12 Clock Point' remained the dominant point of impact in fatal crashes, although its count decreased from 70 in 2022 to 60 in 2023. Other impact points like 'Left-Front Side' and '6 Clock Point' remained relatively stable or saw minor changes.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 9 smaller categories (11 records): 10 Clock Point (2), Undercarriage (2), 8 Clock Point (1), 4 Clock Point (1), Non-Collision (1), 2 Clock Point (1), Right-Back Side (1), Right-Front Side (1), 9 Clock Point (1).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Vehicles Per Crash
Single-vehicle fatal crashes increased from 39 in 2022 to 45 in 2023. Conversely, multi-vehicle fatal crashes involving three or more vehicles saw a decrease, falling from 10 (7 three-vehicle, 2 four-vehicle, 1 five-vehicle) in 2022 to 3 (2 three-vehicle, 1 four-vehicle) in 2023.
Vehicles Per Crash
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Data Sources & Methodology
Primary Data Source
All crash data in this report is sourced from NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), accessed programmatically via the NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SODA). This dataset contains official police-reported motor vehicle traffic crash records maintained by the reporting jurisdiction's law enforcement agency. Records are published to the open data portal by the municipality and are subject to the portal's terms of use.
Data Retrieval
- Access method: NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SoQL queries)
- Data format: Structured JSON via REST API
- Record types queried: Crash events, person records, and vehicle unit records
- Date filter applied: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31
- Report generated: August 5, 2026
Data Coverage
- Reporting period: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31 (365 days)
- Geographic scope: Denver, Colorado
- Total crash records analyzed: 71
- Total persons involved: 171
- Total vehicles involved: 98
Analytical Methodology
- Severity classification: Uses the KABCO injury scale (K=Fatal, A=Incapacitating injury, B=Non-incapacitating injury, C=Possible injury, O=No injury/property damage only), the standard classification in U.S. Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). Severity is assigned per crash event based on the most severe injury in that crash. A single fatal crash (K) may involve multiple fatalities; therefore the "Persons Killed" count in the headline KPIs may differ from the "Fatal" crash count in the severity breakdown.
- Contributing factors: Reflect the officer-determined primary contributory cause recorded at the time of the crash report. These are preliminary determinations and may not reflect final investigation findings.
- Hit-and-run classification: Based on the hit-and-run indicator field in the official crash report, as determined by the responding officer at the scene.
- Temporal analysis: Day-of-week and hour-of-day distributions are computed from the crash date/time timestamp in each record.
- Demographics: Age and sex distributions are drawn from person-level records linked to each crash event. A single crash may involve multiple persons.
- Vehicle data: Make information is drawn from vehicle unit records linked to each crash event.
- AI commentary: Narrative sections are generated by Google Gemini (large language model) based on the structured data. Commentary is descriptive, not predictive, and should not be interpreted as expert opinion.
Limitations & Disclaimers
- Only crashes reported to and documented by law enforcement are included. Minor incidents, unreported crashes, and near-misses are not captured in this dataset.
- Data reflects conditions at the time of the initial police report and may be subject to subsequent corrections, reclassifications, or supplements by the reporting agency.
- Open data portal records may experience a publication lag - recently occurring crashes may not yet appear in the dataset at the time of report generation.
- AI-generated commentary is produced by a large language model and is intended to highlight patterns in the data. It does not constitute legal, medical, or professional analysis.
- Percentages are calculated from reported data and are subject to rounding.
Non-Affiliation Disclosure
This report is produced independently by ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with any law enforcement agency, municipal government, state department of transportation, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Data is sourced from publicly available government open data portals.
Data License
The underlying crash data is provided under the municipality's Open Data Terms of Use and is made available to the public for unrestricted use. This analysis and report is © 2026 Injuria.ai and may be cited with attribution using the suggested citation below.
Corrections & Feedback
If you believe any data in this report is inaccurate or have questions about our methodology, please contact: data@injuria.ai. We are committed to accuracy and will issue corrections promptly.
Suggested Citation
ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). "Denver, Colorado Crash Intelligence Report: 2023." Published August 5, 2026. Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31. Data source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), NHTSA FARS Open Data. Available at: https://thatcarhitme.com/crash-data/colorado/fatal/denver/2023-annual-report
About the Publisher
ThatCarHitMe.com is a crash data intelligence platform developed by Injuria.ai, a legal technology company specializing in traffic safety analytics. We aggregate and analyze publicly available government crash data to produce structured intelligence reports for communities, researchers, journalists, and legal professionals. Our reports combine programmatic data retrieval from official open data portals with AI-assisted narrative analysis.
Questions about this report's data or methodology: data@injuria.ai
ThatCarHitMe.com · An Injuria.ai Company
ThatCarHitMe.com
An Injuria.ai Company
Crash Data Intelligence
Data: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · NHTSA FARS
Period: 2023-01-01 – 2023-12-31
Generated: August 5, 2026 · All rights reserved
Someone you love in this data? We’ll help you find out if you have a case.
Call our intake team. We connect you to a vetted Colorado attorney who handles fatal-crash and wrongful death cases, and who will treat your family’s situation with care.
Always free for accident victims.