Press Release

(COLO) – In 2021, the Colorado State Patrol investigated 660 injury and fatal crashes as a result of drivers not paying attention behind the wheel. While people often debate which distraction is more dangerous – cell phones, food, pets – there is no argument that distracted driving has become one of the deadliest threats on our roadways. Most motorists are aware that they should keep their eyes on the road at all times, yet often can be found fidgeting with food, electronic devices or pets.

(COLO) – Despite being the safest and one of the easiest decisions a driver and passenger can make, Colorado (86%) still falls below the national average (90%) with seat belt use, and the younger the driver the greater the chance they aren’t buckling up. Teens, as both drivers and passengers, have the lowest rate of seat belt use of any group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Colorado State Patrol Emergency Dispatchers Saw an Increase in Calls for Service in 2021

(COLO) – With the arrival of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) beginning April 10, the Colorado State Patrol wants to honor the men and women who serve in the Colorado State Patrol’s six centers as well as those who work in regional and local communication centers around the state.

(COLO) – The Colorado State Patrol remains in rare company, having passed an internationally recognized independent organization’s rigorous assessment of the Patrol’s professionalism, policies, leadership and standards. 

This week the Colorado State Patrol was accredited again by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., (CALEA) which represents the gold standard for accreditation in law enforcement in the United States and many other countries. 

(COLO) – With distractions both inside and outside of the vehicle pulling for our attention, too many drivers have taken a “multi-tasking” approach while behind the wheel. In 2021, the Colorado State Patrol saw a 47% increase in fatal crashes caused by distracted driving in the crashes troopers investigated.

(COLO) – Unlike neighborhood streets or roads with designated bike lanes or large shoulders, there are many highways and rural roadways that are not designed for pedestrian use. When pedestrians are present on access-controlled roads, such as highways, they are placing themselves and motorists at great risk and can be ticketed, or worse, injured or killed.

(COLO) – Traffic deaths surged across Colorado in 2021 hitting a 20-year high and speeding is a major factor in fatalities. Speeding is risky behavior for all drivers and combined with inexperience and distractions the danger rises exponentially.

In a 2021 report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Ford Motor Company Fund, Colorado had 213 teen fatalities between 2015-2019 and 57% of them were speed-related. Since this study concluded, the driving picture has only gotten worse throughout the state.

(COLORADO) – If it feels like vehicle thefts have taken off recently (pun intended), recent data released by the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) suggests that feeling is accurate. Over this past year, more Coloradans than ever have experienced auto theft in one way, shape, or form personally.  In their 2021 ATICC (Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center) Report, CATPA shows an 88% increase (36,932 cases) in motor vehicle thefts since 2017 and an 82% increase just since 2019.