COUNTY FATALITY DATA
La Plata County, Colorado
Road fatality data for La Plata County (CO). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 79
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 12
- Latest Year Deaths
- 21.3
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, La Plata County ranks #761 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #8 of 33 rated counties in CO. La Plata County's fatality rate of 21.3 per 100,000 residents places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure.
- #761 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #8 of 33
- in CO by rate
- 33%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
La Plata County, Colorado recorded 79 total road fatalities across 70 reported crashes during the 2016-2023 reporting window, according to NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. The most recent year covered by the data logged 12 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 8.8 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 21.3 per 100,000 residents, which places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Despite a comparatively active crash history (70 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for La Plata County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Colorado state page, which aggregates county-level case files into statewide totals. Either way, the underlying records are drawn from a census of fatal crashes, not a statistical sample, so the counts are actual deaths rather than estimates.
The directional trend for La Plata County is increasing, which means annual fatalities have risen across the reporting period and may warrant closer attention from local transportation and enforcement agencies. Residents, insurers, and policy analysts can use this baseline alongside population density, highway mile data, and rural-versus-urban road mix to judge whether La Plata County's 79-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
79
Latest Year
12
Avg Annual
8.8
Rate per 100K
21.3
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does La Plata County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
La Plata County is 35% deadlier than the comparison
2023 road deaths from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System over population from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2023). Rates shown for counties with 10,000+ residents and a 2023 FARS record.
Among the 15 rated counties in Colorado, La Plata County ranks 8 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 15.8 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure. The gap between La Plata County's rate and the state average is 5.5 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Morgan County, at 20.3 per 100,000 (a difference of 1.0). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Park County (38.6), Routt County (35.9), Archuleta County (35.2), Logan County (29.1), Rio Grande County (26.8), Montezuma County (26.4), Pueblo County (23.6), Morgan County (20.3), Delta County (18.9), Gunnison County (17.3), Summit County (16.4), Weld County (16.1), Fremont County (13.9), Las Animas County (13.9).
La Plata County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
21 33rd percentile a lower per-capita rate than 33% of 2,328 rated counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more rated counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source NHTSA FARS over U.S. Census Bureau population estimates · 2026-08-09
La Plata County's rate vs. the Colorado state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in La Plata County, Colorado?
La Plata County recorded 79 total traffic fatalities across 70 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 12 fatalities. The county averages approximately 8.8 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in La Plata County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (70 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for La Plata County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Colorado may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in La Plata County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in La Plata County is increasing. This indicates that traffic fatalities have risen over the data period, warranting attention to road safety initiatives.
What is the fatality rate per capita in La Plata County?
La Plata County has a fatality rate of 21.3 per 100,000 residents, which places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Where does La Plata County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, La Plata County ranks #761 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #8 of 33 rated counties in CO, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does La Plata County compare to the rest of Colorado?
La Plata County's per-capita rate of 21.3 per 100,000 residents is above the Colorado county average of 15.8. Visit the Colorado state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for La Plata County come from?
All road fatality data comes from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a census of fatal motor vehicle crashes on public roads in the United States. FARS data covers the period 2016-2023 and includes all crashes resulting in at least one fatality within 30 days.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) This information is for research and informational purposes only
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Every figure on PlainRoadSafety is computed directly from NHTSA FARS census data, no number is typed in by an editor. County figures are computed directly from NHTSA FARS census data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.