Reporting a car accident in Colorado: police, state report and crash report copies
When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.
Short answer
After you stop and exchange information, call the nearest police agency right away for any crash that hurts or kills someone or damages any property. If police do not come (for example during 'Accident Alert' in bad weather), you can file your own report through the Online Crash Reporting System; it goes to the Colorado Department of Revenue (303-205-5600).
- Crash report copies
- Can be ordered online (see below)
- Law
- C.R.S. § 42-4-1606(1), (4)(b)
When to call the police in Colorado
Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.
- When to call the police
- After you stop and exchange information, call the nearest police agency right away for any crash that hurts or kills someone or damages any property. If police tell you to, go back to the scene and wait for them. Police do not have to investigate a car crash with no injuries where no one person's damage is over $1,000, but they must if a driver asks or if someone cannot show proof of insurance.
- Law
- C.R.S. § 42-4-1606(1), (4)(b); Colorado State Patrol crash information page
- Official text
- Read the official text
Your own report to the state in Colorado
- Your own report
- If police do not come (for example during 'Accident Alert' in bad weather), you can file your own report through the Online Crash Reporting System; it goes to the Colorado Department of Revenue (303-205-5600). If you did not show the trooper current insurance, you must fill out a financial responsibility form within 10 days.
How to get a copy of the crash report in Colorado
- For a crash Colorado State Patrol investigated, request the report through the CSP Central Records Unit (Records Request Portal).
- Have the driver's name, crash date, case report number and location.
- Reports can take up to 10 working days.
- CSP does not post a fixed fee; contact Central Records for the cost.
- For city or county police crashes, ask that agency.
- Reports you filed online yourself are held by the Department of Revenue (303-205-5600). https://csp.colorado.gov/crash-information
Colorado has an online way to get at least some crash reports. Reports written by a city police department or sheriff may have to be requested from that agency; our free request letter can help.
More facts for Colorado
- Police may skip investigating a no-injury car crash with no one's damage over $1,000 unless a driver asks or someone can't show proof of insurance (C.R.S. § 42-4-1606(4)(b)).
Step by step after a crash in Colorado
- Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
- Call the police when Colorado law requires it. After you stop and exchange information, call the nearest police agency right away for any crash that hurts or kills someone or damages any property.
- File your own report if the rule applies to you. If police do not come (for example during 'Accident Alert' in bad weather), you can file your own report through the Online Crash Reporting System; it goes to the Colorado Department of Revenue (303-205-5600).
- Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
- Get a copy of the crash report. For a crash Colorado State Patrol investigated, request the report through the CSP Central Records Unit (Records Request Portal).
- Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.
Free help in Colorado
Questions about reporting a crash in Colorado
When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Colorado?
After you stop and exchange information, call the nearest police agency right away for any crash that hurts or kills someone or damages any property. If police tell you to, go back to the scene and wait for them. Police do not have to investigate a car crash with no injuries where no one person's damage is over $1,000, but they must if a driver asks or if someone cannot show proof of insurance.
Do I have to file my own accident report in Colorado?
If police do not come (for example during 'Accident Alert' in bad weather), you can file your own report through the Online Crash Reporting System; it goes to the Colorado Department of Revenue (303-205-5600). If you did not show the trooper current insurance, you must fill out a financial responsibility form within 10 days.
How do I get a copy of a crash report in Colorado?
For a crash Colorado State Patrol investigated, request the report through the CSP Central Records Unit (Records Request Portal). Have the driver's name, crash date, case report number and location. Reports can take up to 10 working days. CSP does not post a fixed fee; contact Central Records for the cost. For city or county police crashes, ask that agency. Reports you filed online yourself are held by the Department of Revenue (303-205-5600). https://csp.colorado.gov/crash-information
More for Colorado drivers
- All car accident rules in Colorado
- Comparative fault
- Uninsured driver
- Deadline to sue
- Accident reporting requirements in every state
- What to do after a car accident
- Fault and payout explainer
- Deadline calculator
- Insurance claim letter
- Police report request letter
Nearby states
Sources and last check
- C.R.S. § 42-4-1606(1), (4)(b); Colorado State Patrol crash information page
- C.R.S. Title 13 (2024) – § 13-80-101, § 13-21-111
- C.R.S. Title 10 (2024) – §§ 10-3-1104, 10-3-1115, 10-3-1116, 10-4-609, 10-4-620
- C.R.S. Title 24 (2024) – § 24-10-109
- Colorado Division of Insurance – Auto insurance
- Colorado State Patrol – Crash information
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.