City in Colorado, United States
Is Denver safe?
Generally safe, with theft and drug-related issues downtown and around some transit stops.
Is Denver safe?
Generally safe, with theft and drug-related issues downtown and around some transit stops. Altitude and weather affect visitors more than crime.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Denver at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins, bike and package theft, and petty theft; street disorder and drug use near parts of downtown, Colfax and transit stops. |
| At night | LoDo and RiNo are lively on weekends; stick to busy streets and use rideshare late rather than waiting at light-rail stops. |
| Solo women | Usually comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, avoid empty transit stops and keep drinks in sight. |
| Other risks | Altitude (1,600 m): altitude sickness and fast dehydration; Mountain weather: sudden storms and snow, often unmarked ice on roads; Wildfire smoke in late summer |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake charity or petition clipboard requests asking for cash
- Parking-meter and parking-app scams; use official apps only
Take care
- Colfax Avenue and the 16th Street Mall late at night
- Empty light-rail platforms late at night
- Unattended cars at trailheads
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Denver compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottsdale | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Denver safe for solo female travelers?
Usually comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, avoid empty transit stops and keep drinks in sight.
Is Denver safe at night?
LoDo and RiNo are lively on weekends; stick to busy streets and use rideshare late rather than waiting at light-rail stops.
What is the crime rate in Denver?
Car break-ins, bike and package theft, and petty theft; street disorder and drug use near parts of downtown, Colfax and transit stops. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Denver?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Denver
Going to Denver solo?
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Sources
- RTD Denver
- Denver International Airport
- Visit Denver
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.