Colorado’s death rate improves, but traffic crashes and drug overdoses keep it above pre-pandemic levels
- Posted on August 9, 2026
- By The Denver Post
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- 1 min read
In brief
Colorado's mortality statistics show mixed results as the state recorded 45,093 deaths in the most recent year. While raw numbers increased slightly from the previous year, age-adjusted death rates demonstrate improvement when accounting for demographic shifts. However, persistent public health challenges including fatal traffic accidents and substance abuse overdoses continue to keep Colorado's mortality figures elevated compared to pre-pandemic benchmarks, highlighting ongoing concerns for community health officials.
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Colorado’s death rate improves, but traffic crashes and drug overdoses keep it above pre-pandemic levels
Last year, 45,093 people died in Colorado — an increase in raw numbers from 44,527 deaths in 2024, but an improvement after adjusting for population growth and aging.
