Colorado pedestrians navigate a variety of streets, from quiet residential roads to busy highways. They rely on their awareness and the rules governing driver and pedestrian behavior. In cities like Denver, people walk to work, school, shops, and parks, often in environments where traffic is mixed, speeds vary, and visibility can be limited.
Colorado’s pedestrian laws exist to provide guidance and protection, defining rights, responsibilities, and shared duties that help prevent accidents. Despite these protections, pedestrian fatalities are on the rise across the state. In 2025, Colorado recorded 127 pedestrian deaths, with a significant proportion occurring in Denver, highlighting the real risks pedestrians face in urban areas.
This article is for anyone in Denver who wants to understand their rights and stay safe on the city’s streets. You will learn when pedestrians have the right-of-way, which areas of Denver present the highest risks, and what steps to take if you are injured while walking. Understanding these rules can help you stay safe and protect your rights if an accident occurs. The team at Ogborn Mihm is here to help if you or a loved one is injured.
Pedestrian safety in Colorado depends on clear rules that apply to both walkers and drivers. These laws clarify who has the right-of-way, when pedestrians and drivers must yield, and how behavior can affect liability in the event of an accident.
Key points to remember include:
These key laws provide the framework for pedestrian safety in Colorado, but the reality of pedestrian accidents is more nuanced.
Pedestrian right-of-way laws are designed to protect walkers while clarifying the responsibilities of drivers. Pedestrians generally have the right-of-way in the following situations:
In Colorado, pedestrians typically have the right-of-way when crossing at marked crosswalks, and drivers are legally required to yield and exercise reasonable care. This rule also applies to unmarked crosswalks at intersections, where pedestrians lawfully entering the roadway are similarly recognized as having the right-of-way.
At signalized intersections, pedestrians must follow “walk” and “don’t walk” indicators, while drivers are required to yield to anyone lawfully within the crosswalk. Compliance with these signals reduces the likelihood of collisions with turning or approaching vehicles and is a critical factor when determining responsibility in accidents.
While these rules help protect pedestrians, responsibility is shared between walkers and motorists, and there are circumstances in which drivers are legally entitled to the right-of-way.
It is a common misconception that pedestrians in Colorado always have the right-of-way. While drivers are required to exercise reasonable care, vehicles are legally entitled to the right-of-way in the following circumstances:
Pedestrians do not have the right-of-way when crossing roads outside of designated crosswalks. In these cases, drivers may legally continue through intersections or along roadways without yielding, provided they exercise reasonable care. Pedestrians must assess traffic carefully before entering the roadway, as failing to do so can shift fault in the event of a collision.
At signalized intersections, pedestrians who ignore “walk” or “don’t walk” indicators may be required to yield to drivers. When a driver proceeds in accordance with traffic signals, they are typically acting within their legal rights.
Drivers making turns or merging into traffic may have the right-of-way in certain situations, particularly when pedestrians are not fully within a crosswalk or are crossing outside designated areas. Motorists are still required to exercise reasonable care, but the presence of a pedestrian alone does not automatically obligate a driver to stop.
These are the types of situations that motorists and pedestrians in Denver encounter every day. Certain locations in the city, however, present a significantly higher risk to pedestrians.
According to the Denver Post, the city experienced a 50% increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2025. The following locations represent some of the most hazardous areas in the city:
If you are injured while walking on these streets or elsewhere in Denver, taking the right steps can protect your health, preserve evidence, and safeguard your legal rights.
Certain actions after a pedestrian collision can help establish what occurred, determine who may be responsible, and clarify what compensation could be available. The following factors are important:
Many accidents leave victims unable to move and in need of immediate medical attention. Others may walk away, but that does not mean they are uninjured. Serious conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or even potentially catastrophic injuries, may not be noticeable until hours or even days later. Seeking medical care is the only way to identify and treat these injuries, and medical records can serve as important evidence if a claim arises.
Contacting the police ensures that the accident is formally recorded. A police report can help establish key details, including the location, the parties involved, and any initial observations about how the incident occurred.
If you are able to do so safely, gather evidence at the scene. This may include photographs of the crosswalk or roadway, traffic signals, and the position of the vehicle involved. Images of skid marks, signage, lighting conditions, and any visible injuries can also be helpful. Where possible, obtain contact details for witnesses who saw the collision or your movements immediately before it occurred.
Maintaining detailed records of medical treatment, expenses, and the impact of your injuries on daily life can help provide a clearer picture of the overall effect of the accident. This information is often important when assessing compensation.
While these steps can help protect your health and legal rights, there are circumstances where obtaining advice from an experienced pedestrian accident attorney may be appropriate.
If your injuries prevent you from working, fault is unclear, or insurers approach you with early settlement offers, you may wish to contact an attorney. A law firm experienced in pedestrian injury claims can help protect your position and ensure that relevant laws and evidence are properly applied to your case.
The following legal principles determine how liability is assessed in pedestrian injury claims and whether compensation may be available.
Negligence is the starting point of all pedestrian injury claims. It occurs when a party fails to take reasonable care, resulting in harm to another. This may involve situations such as a driver failing to yield at a crosswalk, driving too fast for the conditions, or failing to maintain proper awareness of pedestrians.
Colorado follows a comparative fault system, meaning responsibility for an accident can be shared between the parties involved.
For example, a pedestrian may be crossing within a crosswalk with the right-of-way when a driver turns without yielding and causes a collision. While the driver’s failure to yield would be a primary factor, other circumstances, such as visibility or timing, may also be considered. If the total damages are valued at $100,000 and the pedestrian is found to be 20% responsible, compensation may be reduced to $80,000.
C.R.S. § 42-4-802 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing within marked crosswalks and unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
A failure to comply with this requirement may support a finding that the driver acted negligently.
C.R.S. § 42-4-803 addresses situations where crossings occur outside designated crosswalks.
In injury claims, this provision is considered alongside other factors, including driver conduct, visibility, and road conditions, when determining how responsibility is shared between the parties.
C.R.S. § 42-4-807 requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians. This duty applies at all times, regardless of right-of-way.
In practice, this includes maintaining awareness, adjusting speed, and responding appropriately to pedestrians on or near the roadway.
These laws form the basis for how pedestrian injury claims are assessed in Colorado, but each case is unique and may raise specific concerns.
These are some of the most common questions our attorneys receive from injured pedestrians in Denver and across Colorado:
There is no automatic right-of-way on private property, but drivers are still expected to move carefully and watch for pedestrians in areas such as parking lots and driveways. If a driver was moving too quickly, failed to check surroundings, or ignored visible foot traffic, they may still be held responsible.
Claiming “I didn’t see you” does not remove responsibility, as drivers are expected to remain alert and watch for pedestrians at all times. Claims often focus on whether the driver reasonably should have seen you, given the lighting, positioning, and road conditions.
A hit-and-run pedestrian accident can still lead to compensation, often through uninsured motorist coverage if the driver is not identified. Acting quickly to report the incident and preserve evidence can make a significant difference in how the claim is handled.
Yes, a parent or legal guardian can bring a claim on behalf of an injured child to recover compensation for medical care and other losses. Any settlement will usually require court approval to ensure it properly protects the child’s interests.
Most claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay legal fees unless compensation is recovered. Our terms will be clearly set out at the outset, so you understand exactly how fees and costs will be handled.
While Ogborn Mihm represents clients nationwide, our headquarters are right here in Downtown Denver. Our attorneys travel the same roads you do every day and understand the risks faced by those on foot. We have extensive experience handling serious injury claims, particularly those involving traumatic brain injuries and other life-altering conditions. For a free consultation, contact our law office today.
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