The Odds of Being Struck by Lightening in Colorado is Shocking

Some may say that the fear of being struck by lightning is irrational, but tell that to those who have experienced it. Contrary to what some believe, you can be struck by lightning and live, but there are many cases of those being struck by it that did not survive as well. There are things that everyone is told when it comes to lightning. Don't be in water, don't lift a golf club or baseball bat, or some metal rod, and don't hide under a tree. When it comes to being struck by lightning, how likely are you to be struck in Colorado, and how many deaths have happened from lightning in the Centennial State? 

States Most Likely to be Struck by Lightning

As the calendar gets closer to May and the warmer weather comes in, so do thunderstorms as well. Colorado could desperately use the rain, but I think many would agree that the thunder and lightning can stay away. Both are known to be common fears, as thunder can scare many and make it hard to sleep with its roars, and lightning can startle people and make some loud cracks as well. While lightning can be beautiful to see, it can also be disastrous and fatal. According to a recent study by playcasino.com, Florida is the state where you are most likely to be killed by lightning, with a reported 97 confirmed lightning deaths from 2006 to 2025. In that same time span, Texas has had 42 confirmed lightning deaths, making it the state with the second most lightning deaths. 

Killed by Lightning in Colorado

Colorado comes in as the state with the third most confirmed lightning deaths from 2006 to 2025. There have been 27 deaths that have taken place, which is a tad surprising, with Colorado only ranking 19th nationally in lightning flash counts. The reason for the higher death count, though, is due to hikers who go above the tree line and expose themselves to potential lightning strikes. For anyone who hikes mountains, you know that storms can come out of nowhere and leave a hiker unprepared on what to do and where to go when a storm starts. The elevation leaves hikers exposed and puts them at risk, and sadly, over the last twenty years, 27 people have experienced this. 

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When thunderstorms and lightning are in the forecast, make sure to do what your mom told you growing up. Don't be in the water, don't hide under a tree, don't have a metal pole in the air, and don't be hiking a mountain. Living in Colorado does expose you to potentially being struck by lightning, but it is still safer here than in Texas or Florida.