Key Takeaways
- Colorado ranks 7th in the nation for Gen Z motorcycle fatality rates with 5.82 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents aged 15–29, more than two and a half times the rate in Minnesota (2.18), the safest state.
- Between 2020 and 2024, 350 Gen Z motorcyclists aged 15 to 29 were killed in crashes in Colorado, averaging 70 fatalities per year across a Gen Z population of approximately 1.2 million.
- Colorado’s fatality rate of 5.82 per 100,000 is significantly higher than the rates of several neighboring states: Utah (3.42), Nebraska (3.47), Kansas (3.66), and Wyoming (4.29).
Colorado has emerged as one of the most dangerous states in America for Gen Z motorcycle riders, according to a new state-by-state analysis of crash fatality data. Ranking 7th in the nation with an average annual fatality rate of 5.82 per 100,000 residents aged 15 to 29, the Centennial State’s rate is more than two and a half times higher than Minnesota’s 2.18 per 100,000, the lowest in the country.
An analysis by Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers examined motorcycle crash fatalities involving riders aged 15 to 29 across all 50 states using data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the U.S. Census Bureau for 2020 through 2024. States were ranked from 1 (highest fatality rate) to 50 (lowest) to create the Gen Z Motorcycle Fatalities by State index. Colorado placed 7th.
Top 10: States With the Highest Gen Z Motorcycle Fatality Rates
States Where Gen Z Riders Face the Greatest Risk
| Rank | State | Gen Z Population (15–29 Years) | Avg. Annual Fatalities Per 100K | Total Fatalities (2020–2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 185,133 | 8.75 | 81 |
| 2 | Florida | 3,940,841 | 8.46 | 1,666 |
| 3 | Arizona | 1,505,247 | 7.08 | 533 |
| 4 | South Carolina | 1,019,299 | 6.73 | 343 |
| 5 | New Mexico | 420,064 | 6.52 | 137 |
| 6 | Nevada | 599,178 | 6.24 | 187 |
| 7 | Colorado | 1,202,472 | 5.82 | 350 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 1,386,762 | 5.71 | 396 |
| 9 | Arkansas | 603,762 | 5.47 | 165 |
| 10 | Montana | 212,824 | 5.36 | 57 |
Delaware leads the nation with the highest Gen Z motorcycle fatality rate at 8.75 per 100,000 residents aged 15 to 29, followed by Florida (8.46) and Arizona (7.08). South Carolina (6.73) and New Mexico (6.52) round out the top five. Nevada (6.24), Colorado (5.82), and Tennessee (5.71) follow closely, while Arkansas (5.47) and Montana (5.36) complete the top 10. Colorado ranks 7th with a rate of 5.82 per 100,000.
Commenting on the study, Tyler Wilk, Founding Attorney at Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, stated:
“Motorcycle crashes are one of the leading causes of preventable death among young Americans, and these numbers show just how dramatically the risk varies from state to state. Delaware’s fatality rate is four times higher than Minnesota’s, which tells us this isn’t just about rider behavior, it’s about infrastructure, enforcement, and education. Every one of these fatalities represents a family that may have legal options to hold negligent parties accountable, and young riders and their families deserve to know their rights.”
Colorado at a Glance: Gen Z Motorcycle Fatality Data (2020–2024)
Key Statistics for The Centennial State
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| National Rank (Highest Fatality Rate) | 7th of 50 States |
| Gen Z Population (Ages 15–29) | 1,202,472 |
| Total Gen Z Motorcycle Fatalities (2020–2024) | 350 |
| Average Annual Gen Z Motorcycle Fatalities | 70 |
| Average Annual Fatalities Per 100,000 Gen Z Residents | 5.82 |
Between 2020 and 2024, Colorado recorded 350 Gen Z motorcycle fatalities, averaging 70 deaths per year. With a Gen Z population of approximately 1.2 million residents aged 15 to 29, the state’s per capita fatality rate of 5.82 per 100,000 ranks 7th in the nation. For context, that means roughly 1 in every 17,200 Gen Z residents in Colorado was killed in a motorcycle crash each year during this five-year period.
Methodology
The study analyzed motorcycle crash fatalities involving Gen Z riders aged 15 to 29 across all 50 states from 2020 to 2024. Total motorcycle fatalities for this age group were sourced from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), while Gen Z population estimates (ages 15 to 29) were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. Average annual fatalities were calculated by dividing total fatalities by five (covering 2020–2024), then expressed per 100,000 Gen Z residents. States were ranked from 1 (highest fatality rate) to 50 (lowest).
About Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers
Wilk Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers is a Pennsylvania-based firm that represents victims of negligence in cases involving vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability, and wrongful death.
