CDOT transformed Red Rocks Amphitheatre into powerful memorial for speeding victims

In 2023, 257 people were killed on Colorado roads in speed-related crashes. To help motorists grasp the magnitude of this number and understand the tragic impact speeding has on our roads, the Colorado Department of Transportation marked 257 seats — more than two entire rows — at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Aug. 19 with signs and handwritten notes remembering the victims. Each note included the demographics of each person killed, such as their age, gender and county where the crash happened. The powerful display put the statistics into perspective by using a world-famous venue and reminding drivers that these numbers represent real people who had families that loved them.

Speed was a leading factor in traffic deaths in Colorado in 2023, claiming more lives than both impaired driving (228) and unbuckled crashes (222).

“By showcasing the 257 lives lost at a beloved state landmark, CDOT hopes to spark a meaningful conversation about traffic safety and encourage drivers to slow down,” said Sam Cole, CDOT communications manager. “This initiative is part of CDOT's broader efforts to reduce speed-related incidents and make Colorado roads safer for everyone.”

In conjunction with the Red Rocks display, CDOT has created a custom “No Need for Speed” Spotify playlist featuring mellow, slow-paced songs to encourage drivers to slow down. This initiative stems from a study by Memorial University of Newfoundland, which found that drivers who listened to fast-tempo songs were more likely to exceed speed limits. With nearly 75% of motorists driving or riding with music (National Library of Medicine), this playlist aims to promote safer driving habits. More than half of the artists on the playlist have performed at Red Rocks. Access the full No Need for Speed playlist on Spotify.

The signs featured a QR code that links to the CDOT playlist. The signs were distributed throughout Denver and the state’s top counties for speed-related fatalities (El Paso, Jefferson and Weld). Additionally, they were given to Colorado DMVs for the public to take and display in their own neighborhoods.

According to CDOT’s 2023 Driver Behavior Report, more than 70% of Colorado drivers said they drove over the speed limit on main highways and local highways at least some of the time.

Drivers tend to overestimate the time saved by speeding. In fact, according to a study conducted by AAA Colorado, a motorist moving at 80 mph instead of 75 mph would have to travel 100 miles to save roughly 5 minutes.

“Driving at unsafe speeds not only compromises a driver's ability to maintain a safe lane position, but it also drastically reduces the time available to react to potential hazards,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “This not only endangers the speeding driver but also puts everyone on the road at risk. The margin for error narrows significantly, turning a momentary mistake into a potentially life-altering event.”

In 2023, the Colorado State Patrol issued the most speeding citations for drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by 20+ mph on the following five roadways:

• I-70
• I-25
• Highway 50
• Highway 24
• Highway 285

CDOT shares the following tips to stay safe from speeding drivers:

• Maintain Space: Give other drivers, speeding or not, plenty of space. Drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles when speeding.
• Do Not Engage: Speeding is often linked to aggressive driving. If a speeding driver is tailgating you or trying to engage in risky behavior, use your judgment to safely steer your vehicle out of the way.
• Report Dangerous Behavior: If you believe a driver is following or harassing you, or engaging in other risky behavior, dial *CSP (*277) or your local law enforcement to report.