Although there is an extensive literature on railroad accidents, virtually all of it looks at the frequency of accidents according to occupation. Attention to spatial distribution is rarer and coarse grained: by state or by region. Statistics compiled by the Colorado Railroad Commissioner, however, allow a more detailed study of accidents. We can examine not only occupational distribution, but also spatial and seasonal distribution.

The most common source of railroad injuries was track construction or repair; the highest number of severe injuries occurred while coupling; and the largest number of deaths were caused by fragile human bodies meeting moving objects. Severe accidents happened more often in the eastern part of the state, although there were more deaths in western Colorado. The changing number of workers and work required at each station, 1890 city populations, the prevalence of medical assistance, and the ongoing construction of Colorado railroad track all provide potential clues to this distribution of accidents.