The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released its 2025 Report Card for Colorado’s Infrastructure, assigning the state an overall grade of ‘C-’, the same grade as the 2020 report card and one step lower than the national average of ‘C’.
The report card includes 14 infrastructure categories and shows signs of progress and persistent challenges across Colorado’s built environment.
While certain sectors, such as wastewater and dams, showed improvement, three categories (roads, aviation, and energy) saw grade decreases. The report also introduced a new category, stormwater, underscoring the growing importance of climate resilience.
Colorado Infrastructure Grades
| Grade | Categories |
| B- | Aviation, Dams, Rail |
| C+ | Bridges |
| C | Energy, Public Parks, Wastewater |
| C- | Drinking Water, Solid Waste, Stormwater, Transit |
| D+ | Levees, Schools |
Key Findings and Challenges
Colorado’s infrastructure is under increasing strain due to several factors:
- Population Growth: A 39% increase since 2000 has increased demand for transportation and water systems.
- Aging Infrastructure: Many assets are over 50 years old and require significant rehabilitation.
- Climate Stressors: Droughts, wildfires, and extreme weather events are testing the resilience of critical systems.
For example, only 34% of Colorado’s roads are in good condition, compared to the national average of 45%. Despite substantial investments, including $5.3 billion in state funding and $3.7 billion in federal support, the state faces a $350 million annual shortfall in transportation funding.
Additionally, Colorado’s drinking water infrastructure is projected to face a $10 billion funding gap over the next decade, with a looming 740,000-acre-foot annual water shortfall, the water usage of 250,000 homes, by 2050.
Areas of Progress for Colorado’s Infrastructure
Despite these challenges, the report highlights several areas of progress:
- Denver International Airport (DEN) is expanding to accommodate 100 million passengers annually, supporting over 240,000 jobs and generating $45 billion in annual revenue.
- Bridge conditions in Colorado are slightly better than the national average, with only 4.8% rated in poor condition.
- Renewable energy sources now account for 41% of electricity generation, up from 27% in 2020.
Recommendations for Infrastructure Improvement
ASCE’s report outlines four strategic recommendations to elevate Colorado’s infrastructure grade:
- Invest in Asset Management: Incorporate life-cycle planning and regular condition assessments to prevent failures and protect public health.
- Prioritize Resilience: Adopt modern design standards and frameworks such as Envision to enhance infrastructure durability.
- Strengthen Intergovernmental Collaboration: Foster partnerships across local, state, and federal levels to address complex infrastructure needs.
- Engage the Public: Improve transparency and communication with residents, especially in light of TABOR constraints on public funding decisions.
What’s Next?
The 2025 Colorado Infrastructure Report Card serves as a critical tool for policymakers, engineers, and the public to understand the state’s infrastructure and the investments required to ensure its reliability and sustainability.
ASCE members utilize state report cards as an advocacy tool to inform federal, state, and local lawmakers about the benefits of infrastructure investment and how reliable infrastructure systems support economic growth, while protecting public health, safety, and welfare.
With coordinated action and sustained investment, Colorado can improve its infrastructure from a ‘C-’ to a better grade, and all Coloradoans will benefit from a more resilient and future-ready system.