Increase in Colorado motorcycle fatalities linked to warm weather

Colorado State Patrol troopers are wrestling with “an abnormal increase” in motorcycle crashes and fatalities, blaming the relatively clear, dry road conditions amid temperatures above freezing in November and December.

Rather than put their motorcycles away in November for the usual off-season, Colorado riders seized opportunities to extend their riding during the unseasonably dry and warm winter, CSP leaders said in a news release Monday morning. They’re advising riders to wear protective gear and prioritize safety.

“This week, as the weekend’s snow melts away, the forecast looks warm again and will likely tempt many avid riders,” Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the patrol, said in a statement. “Drivers are not accustomed to seeing many motorcycles this time of year, but should stay alert to avoid collisions.”

In Colorado’s devastatingly dry winter, hope abounds for big snows to round out the season: ‘It’s not time for panic’

Historically, motorcycle crashes decreased in November and December. But in 2025, state data shows above-average crashes, with four more fatal crashes than the average in November, five more crashes causing injuries, and 12 more motorcycle crashes overall.