Experts Say These Are the Most Dangerous Bridges in Colorado

I'm going to shoot straight with you...I'm not the biggest fan of heights. What normal person is alright with NOT having their feet safely planted on the ground?

I don't have acrophobia, a fear/phobia of heights but I do have a fear of falling and going SPLAT.

Last year, I did face my fear by rappelling off of a 93 foot building. It felt exhilarating to literally take a leap and try something new.

Facing My Fear of Heights by Rappelling Off a Building

While I feel like I'm a bit braver after this, I don't know if I would be able to stomach one bridge in Colorado.

Get our free mobile app

With all of the mountain views here in the Centennial State, it's not surprising that we have some pretty tall structures.

The Tallest Bridge in Colorado Is Also One of the Scariest in the U.S.

I did some digging and found that one of the tallest and scariest bridges in the entire country is right here in Colorado.

Read More: Colorado is Home to the Tallest Bridge in the United States 

It's called The Royal Gorge Bridge and was built back in 1929 as a tourist attractions, according to a recent report.

What to Know About the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado

Royal Gorge is considered the highest suspension bridge in America. There are 1,257 wooden planks along this 956 feet vessel. If you are brave enough to take this journey, you'll go over the Arkansas River.

Can You Zipline Over the Royal Gorge Bridge?

Tourists have the option to fly across the Royal Gorge on a zipline. Isn't that cool?!?

Now, what about bridges that are not meant to be a tourist attraction, but are just straight up dangerous?

Colorado Bridge Safety Concerns

How Many Bridges in Colorado Are in Poor Condition?

According to a report from Axios, every single day 281,000 vehicles travel on bridges in "poor" condition here in Colorado. 60% of bridges in the state are in "fair" condition and 5% are in "poor" condition.

Colorado Has Over 1,200 Bridges in Need of Repairs

In 2024, 32 Colorado bridges were reportedly in poor condition.

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association identified 1,242 bridges in need of repairs. These officials were also able to identify the top most traveled structurally deficient bridges in the state.

List of the Most Structurally Deficient Bridges in Colorado

• I-225 ML over Goldsmith Gulch — Denver County

• Ramp to I-25 NBnd over US 6 ML — Denver County

• US 6 ML over SH 121 ML — Jefferson County

• I-70 ML over Harlan Street — Jefferson County

• SH 35 ML over Sand Creek — Denver County

• I-70 ML WBnd over SH 391 ML — Jefferson County

• I-70 ML EBnd over SH 391 ML — Jefferson County

• I-70 ML WBnd over SH 72 ML — Jefferson County

• I-270 ML WBnd over SH 265 ML, UP RR, BNSF RR — Adams County

• I-270 ML EBnd over Ditch Rd, Burlington Canal — Adams County

• I-270 ML WBnd over South Platte River — Adams County

• I-270 ML WBnd over Service Rd, BNSF RR — Adams County

• I-270 ML EBnd over South Platte River — Adams County

• I-270 ML WBnd over Ditch Rd, Burlington Canal — Adams County

• I-70 Frontage Rd over Clear Creek Sr — Clear Creek County

• I-270 ML WBnd over Dahlia Street — Adams County

• US 285 ML over Little Dry Creek — Arapahoe County

• I-70 ML WBnd over West 20th Ave — Jefferson County

• 120th Avenue over Farmers Highline Canal — Adams County

• I-76 ML EBnd over York Street — Adams County

• Ramp to US 6 ML over Clear Creek R — Clear Creek County

• SH 6 ML over Sand Creek — Adams County

• Alameda Ave over I-225 ML — Arapahoe County

• I-76 ML WBnd over Clear Creek — Jefferson County

• I-76 ML WBnd over Ramp to SH 121 ML — Jefferson County

Stay up to date with everything going on in Northern Colorado and beyond by downloading the free station app from your app store.

Also, do not forget to follow the station across all social media platforms for the latest news updates.