Support Safe Wildlife Passages
- Howdy!
- Nov 15, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 19
ESWA supports providing safe passage for wildlife to cross roadways, including proposed and active projects along I-70 over Vail Pass. We also support protection of safe migration routes.
WHY IT MATTERS
Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a growing problem in the central mountains of Colorado, especially along the I-70 corridor, Highway 9, Highway 6, and Highway 131 in Summit and Eagle counties. As traffic increases and development expands, roads cut through critical wildlife habitat, putting both people and animals at risk.
Senate Bill 141 would create a voluntary vehicle registration fee to help fund wildlife crossings and collision-prevention projects across Colorado.
These projects save lives, reduce crashes, and protect the ecosystems that make our mountain communities special.
THE PROBLEM
Highways in Summit and Eagle counties pass through some of the most important wildlife habitat in the state. Elk, mule deer, moose, bears, and other animals must cross roads to reach seasonal ranges and migration routes. Without safe crossings, collisions increase, and habitat becomes fragmented.
Wildlife impacts
In 2024, at least 7,497 animals were reported killed on Colorado roads
The true number is likely much higher because many accidents are not reported
Roads disrupt migration routes and reduce long-term population health
Human safety impacts
Wildlife collisions can cause serious injuries and fatalities
High-risk corridors include:
I-70 through Vail Pass and the Eisenhower corridor
Highway 9 north of Silverthorne
Highway 6 in Eagle County
Highway 131 and other rural routes
Crashes are more common at night, in winter, and during migration seasons
Economic impacts
Millions of dollars in damage and emergency response each year
Impacts to tourism and outdoor recreation
Increased costs for local communities and taxpayers
LOCAL PRIORITIES: SUMMIT COUNTY SAFE PASSAGES
The Summit County Safe Passages initiative identified 17 wildlife linkage areas where roads create major barriers to wildlife movement.
Priority corridors include:
Vail Pass
Lower Blue River corridor
Upper Blue River south of Breckenridge
These areas are critical for elk, mule deer, moose, black bear, mountain lion, and lynx movement.
The Highway 9 wildlife crossing project has already shown that crossings and fencing can dramatically reduce collisions and improve safety.
More projects are planned — but funding is extremely limited, and recent changes in the federal administration have curtailed federal grant opportunities.
THE SOLUTION
Wildlife crossings work.
Crossings include:
Wildlife overpasses
Underpasses
Fencing to guide animals safely across roads
Research in Colorado shows crossings can reduce collisions by up to 90%.
Benefits include:
Fewer crashes
Safer travel
Healthy wildlife populations
Protected migration routes
Lower long-term costs
SB 141 helps fund these projects
Senate Bill 141 pending in the Colorado Legislature. It would create a voluntary $5 vehicle registration fee. Funds would be used for:
Wildlife crossings
Collision-prevention fencing
Habitat connectivity projects
Matching federal funding for large projects
Drivers can opt out, but participation will help build safer roads statewide.
WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW
Colorado has built about 70 wildlife crossings, but many high-priority locations remain unfunded.
Current efforts include:
Summit County Safe Passages planning work
Vail Pass wildlife crossing planning
Collaboration between CDOT, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, counties, and nonprofits
Advocacy for new funding sources
The Wildlife Safe Passages Mitigation Fund created in 2022 is now fully committed.
SB 141 would provide a new funding source so projects can continue.
TIMELINE
2018 — Wildlife movement studies completed in the central mountains
2020 — Summit County Safe Passages identifies priority crossing areas
2022 — Colorado creates Wildlife Safe Passages Mitigation Fund
2023–2025 — Planning for Vail Pass and other corridors continues
2026 — SB 141 introduced in the Colorado Legislature
Next — Funding, design, and construction of new crossings
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Easy actions
Sign up for ESWA updates
Share information about wildlife crossings
Talk to friends and neighbors about SB 141
Advocacy
Contact your state legislators
Support SB 141
Attend public meetings
Submit comments on wildlife crossing projects
Support ESWA
Volunteer
Donate to ESWA to help maintain its Advocacy Program
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