US Bridges

County Road 12 over Red Gulch

Fair

Fremont County, Colorado · 0.4 MI N of Cotopaxi · Structure no. FRCO 12-304A

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
61 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
419
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 12 over Red Gulch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 12 over Red Gulch in Fremont County, Colorado. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 419 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 470 by 2042. The structure is 61 ft (18.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 12
CrossesRed Gulch
Location0.4 MI N of Cotopaxi
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFremont County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.37513, -105.6889
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating78.5 US tons
Inventory rating47 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length61 ft (18.7 m)
Longest span58 ft (17.7 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic419 (2022)
Projected traffic470 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 12 over Red Gulch built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 12 over Red Gulch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in February 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 12 over Red Gulch carry?

About 419 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 12 over Red Gulch?

The structure is 61 ft (18.7 m) long with a longest span of 58 ft (17.7 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 12 over Red Gulch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.