Mountain - Plains - What do you think of Colorado drivers?

There seem to be a lot of threads on here, about how drivers could care less about the guy on the bike, from all over the place. So I was just wondering what others here in Colorado, that possibly have experienced drivers in other places as well, think of how the drivers are.

I've noticed, at least down in the Littleton area, they tend to be quite courteous, almost to a fault. They will sometimes stop way in advance when they see me coming, when they could easily make a turn or the like, with plenty of time to spare by the time I'm in the area. Of course, I'd rather have that then be run over.

In most parts of the Denver metro area, they're pretty courteous. There are of course those who would rather run you over then share a lane, but those are few and far in between. There especially nice in neighborhoods where there's lots of bikes, like the neighborhoods around downtown (cap hill, highland, etc).

Of course, outside of Denver its a crap chute.

Better than average.

I've toured in 15 states & 3 other countries. Of course it's locally variable - Boulder is great, Larimer county is less great but still good except the Sheriff hates bikes, Coal Creek Canyon & Estes Park are scary for different reasons. I've had a few scary moments on roads around Bayfield/Durango, but I would blame the road not the drivers. Most of the big passes in the mountains have enough shoulder and little enough traffic to be safe. Leadville area seems a little sketchy, but I might have my impression there colored by one bad experience.

I agree with the folks here as far as how courteous drivers are, overall. I can go weeks without an issue, then have a slew of grief in a couple days. Stop signs seem to be the bane of Denver drivers though. Many refuse to move till I go through first.

I'd agree; drivers 'round here are almost too courteous, and I find myself barking at drivers to actually go instead of stop. I've not had any issues with getting enough room on the shoulder (and that includes a trip up Trail Ridge Rd. with tour busses, and a few times up High Grade and Deer Creek)

IME, Denver drivers are pretty good on the courtesy scale, with the exception of RTD bus drivers, some of whom think bicyclists are disallowed from riding on the streets and drive accordingly. Denver drivers are not quite as coureous as the drivers in the Pac NW, but more courteous than say Detroit. On the awareness meter, mmm... about average I guess. Which is to say, bad.

^^^I think the RTD bus drivers feel that way about anyone regardless of mode of travel. I agree that CO drivers are very courteous for the most part. There are some knuckleheads out there but they seem to be the exception.

I think drivers around Denver are generally good. I agree with the statement that at times they can be overly polite and you wish that they would just go and drive as they would with a car in the lane. However, having said this, there are many worse places to live if you commute by bike, and I would not get angry with a driver over this.

nevermind

I am sometimes amazed that, given the popularity of biking in CO, drivers are seemingly unaware. I see this mainly in the Parker area. It is infinitely better than Kansas or Nebraska, however.