How to Report a Car Accident in Denver, Colorado

Immediately after an accident in Denver, your first priority is safety. Move to a safe location if possible — pull to the shoulder, a parking lot, or the nearest safe spot off the roadway. Turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Denver 911 dispatches both police and Denver Health paramedics.

If the accident is property-damage-only (no injuries) but involves significant vehicle damage, disabled vehicles blocking traffic, or a hazardous situation (fluid spill, downed power lines), call 911. For minor property-damage-only accidents where vehicles are drivable and no one is hurt, call the Denver Police non-emergency line at (720) 913-2000 to request an officer.

Do not leave the scene. Colorado's hit-and-run statute (C.R.S. 42-4-1601) requires all drivers to stop and remain at or near the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense; leaving the scene of an accident involving death is a class 3 felony.

Colorado law (C.R.S. 42-4-1603) requires drivers involved in an accident to exchange specific information: name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver's license number. You must also show your proof of insurance. If the other driver is injured and unable to communicate, provide your information to the responding officer.

Write down or photograph the other driver's license plate number, insurance card (company name and policy number), and driver's license. Note the make, model, color, and year of their vehicle. If there are passengers in the other vehicle, get their names and contact information as well. Ask any witnesses for their names and phone numbers — this information can be difficult to recover later.

If the other driver refuses to exchange information or leaves the scene, note as many details as you can — license plate number, vehicle description, direction of travel, physical description of the driver — and report this to the responding officer or when you call Denver PD.

Before vehicles are moved and before debris is cleaned up, document the scene thoroughly. Use your phone to take photos and video of: all vehicles from multiple angles showing damage, the overall intersection or road layout, traffic signs and signals, skid marks, debris, road conditions, weather conditions, and any visible injuries. The more documentation you have, the stronger your position.

If you have a dashcam, make sure the footage is preserved. Note the time and the exact location — street names, mile markers, or the nearest address. If the accident happened on a Denver city street, note the block number and cross street. If it happened on I-25, I-70, or I-225, note the mile marker and direction of travel.

These photos and notes become your independent record of the accident. Even with a police report, your own documentation can fill in gaps and provide additional evidence that supports your account of what happened.

When the Denver police officer arrives, they will secure the scene, check for injuries, and begin their investigation. The officer will interview each driver separately, talk to witnesses, examine physical evidence (skid marks, vehicle damage, traffic signals), and draw an accident diagram. Cooperate fully but be careful with your statements.

Stick to the facts — what you saw, heard, and did. Do not speculate about speed, distances, or fault. Do not say 'I'm sorry' or 'it was my fault' — these statements can be used against you later. If you are unsure about something, say so. If you are feeling pain, dizziness, or confusion, tell the officer and request medical attention.

The officer will complete the DR 2447 (State of Colorado Traffic Accident Report), which is the official accident report form used statewide. The report documents the accident facts, the officer's observations, and contributing factors. The officer may issue citations to one or both drivers based on their investigation. Ask for the officer's name and badge number, and ask how to obtain a copy of the report once it is filed.

The DR 2447 is Colorado's standardized traffic accident report form, used by the Denver Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and other agencies statewide. The form is submitted to the Colorado Department of Revenue and becomes part of the state's traffic records system.

The report contains several critical sections: the accident description and diagram showing vehicle positions and movements, driver and vehicle identification for all parties, witness names and contact information, road and weather conditions at the time, damage estimates, and — most importantly — the officer's narrative. The narrative is a free-text section where the officer describes what they believe happened based on physical evidence, driver statements, and witness accounts.

The DR 2447 also includes a 'contributing factors' section where the officer notes factors that contributed to the accident, such as speed, distraction, failure to yield, running a red light, or impairment. These contributing factors, combined with the narrative, are heavily relied upon by insurance companies and attorneys when determining fault. While the report is not legally binding, it carries significant weight.

Under C.R.S. 42-4-1606, law enforcement officers are not required to investigate or file a report if they reasonably believe property damage to any one person does not exceed $1,000 and no one is injured. In practice, Denver Police may not respond to low-speed fender benders in parking lots, minor scrapes, or accidents where both drivers agree the damage is minimal.

However, there are exceptions. Officers must complete a report if either driver specifically requests one, or if either driver cannot show proof of insurance. If you want a report filed, tell dispatch that you are requesting a report. If the officer declines to respond, ask dispatch for the call reference number and follow up by filing a report at the Denver Police Department Records Unit, 1331 Cherokee Street, Room 420.

Even if police do not respond, you are still legally required to report the accident to the nearest police authority if damage exceeds $1,000 or anyone is injured. You can also file a citizen crash report online or at the Records Unit. Document the scene yourself — photos, the other driver's information, and witness statements — and consider filing an online report through denvergov.org.

Beyond the legal reporting requirement to police, you should report the accident to your auto insurance company as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Colorado is a fault-based (tort) state for auto accidents, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance is responsible for paying damages. However, your own policy may provide coverage that helps you immediately, including collision coverage for vehicle damage and medical payments (MedPay) coverage for your medical bills regardless of fault.

When you call your insurance company, provide the facts of the accident, the other driver's information, and the Denver PD case number or report number. Do not speculate about fault or downplay your injuries. If the other driver's insurance contacts you, you are not required to give a recorded statement — and you should consult an attorney before doing so.

Colorado requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (C.R.S. 10-4-619). If the other driver is uninsured, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply.

If you have reported an accident in Denver and you are dealing with injuries, medical bills, or a difficult insurance process, take our free 2-minute assessment. You will answer a few quick questions and get a personalized report covering Colorado's filing deadline for your specific claim, whether the accident report supports your case, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense for your situation.

Reporting the accident is the first step. Understanding your legal options is the next one. Our assessment is free, confidential, and gives you the information you need to make an informed decision.