The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) added two more names to its memorial rock this week—Trent Umberger and Nathan Jones—as part of its annual Remembrance Day ceremony to honor employees who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Their names now stand alongside 62 others engraved in stone outside CDOT’s office, a permanent reminder of the risks faced daily by those maintaining Colorado’s roads.

A Dangerous Job with a Sacred Purpose

Umberger and Jones were tragically killed in September 2024 while working on the roadside near Palisade, struck by a vehicle while carrying out routine highway maintenance. Their deaths have brought renewed attention to the dangers faced by transportation workers across the state.

“Our maintenance crews work every day to keep Colorado safely moving. It is dangerous but vital work,” said Shawn Smith, CDOT Director of Maintenance and Operations. “On Remembrance Day, we honor those who didn’t make it home—so others could.”

The memorial ceremony was a moment of reflection not only for CDOT workers but also for families and communities still grappling with the loss.

31 Fatalities in Colorado Work Zones in 2024 Alone

According to CDOT data, 31 people died in Colorado work zones in 2024. These incidents range from vehicle collisions to roadside accidents, many involving drivers failing to slow down or observe signage in active work areas.

CDOT officials say the numbers are a grim reminder of how critical it is for motorists to stay alert in construction and maintenance zones.

• 2024 work zone fatalities: 31

• Total CDOT workers honored to date: 64

• Recent additions: Trent Umberger and Nathan Jones

“Move Over, Slow Down” – A Call for Awareness

With Umberger and Jones’ names newly etched into the memorial, CDOT is renewing its push for driver awareness and work zone safety protocols.

The agency continues to advocate for:

• “Move Over” laws, requiring drivers to change lanes or slow down when passing roadside workers

• Increased signage and enforcement in high-risk zones

• Public education campaigns highlighting the human lives behind every roadside vest

CDOT says it’s not only about protecting their employees—but also about preventing further tragedy.

“These were not just workers,” one CDOT staffer remarked during the ceremony. “They were fathers, sons, friends—and they should still be here.”

As flowers were laid and names were spoken, the ceremony served as both a solemn remembrance and a pointed call to action: to respect the cones, to watch for workers, and to always remember those who gave their lives to keep Colorado roads safe.