Conservation in Colorado
Wildlife on the Move
Animals like elk and deer have yearly migrations, following traditional paths between different seasonal areas, usually based on plant growth and weather. In Colorado, wildlife usually move from higher to lower elevations as winter comes. The state's mountainous landscape means winter and summer ranges are closer, resulting in shorter migration paths instead of long, narrow corridors. Shorter routes help animals save energy for the winter. Animals need to be able to move between seasonal ranges to respond better to changes in the habitat and landscape pressures.
Wildlife Migration and Movement
Barriers to Wildlife Movement
Many obstacles to animal movement come from changes people make to the land. As Colorado's population grows, these changes are likely to increase. One obstacle can have several negative effects, and when there are many obstacles, they can add up and hurt wildlife populations. These obstacles include:
- High-volume roadways
- Housing and commercial development
- Recreation
- Low-volume traffic roads
- Fencing not constructed to wildlife-friendly design guidelines
Supporting Wildlife Movement
One of the ways Colorado Parks and Wildlife supports and conserves healthy populations among Colorado’s wildlife is through projects that help animals move freely between seasonal ranges. This allows them to access the food and habitats they need as the Colorado weather changes.
Safe Crossing for Colorado Wildlife and Motorists Act
“Safe Crossing for Colorado Wildlife and Motorists Act,” a bill signed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis in June of 2022, created the Colorado wildlife safe passages cash fund. The fund is for use by the Colorado Department of Transportation to give funding to projects that provide safe road crossings and connectivity for wildlife, and that increase motorist safety by reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions.
Find out more
Governor's Executive Order
In 2019, Governor Polis signed Executive Order D-2019-011, Conserving Colorado’s Big Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors. In November, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission also adopted a resolution reaffirming the Governor’s Executive Order and supporting this federal funding opportunity.
Find out moreHighway Projects
Highway 13 North of Craig
1
8-foot high wildlife exclusion fence to direct deer and elk to an arch underpass structure
2
at-grade crossings with 4-foot low-fence segments to allow animals to cross the highway where driver sight distance is more favorable
About the Project
About 12 miles south of the Wyoming border on State Highway 13, the Colorado Department of Transportation, working with CPW, has designed a unique project to lower wildlife collisions while letting animals cross the highway. Low fences create a wide animal crossing between high-fence sections. The northern low-fence segment will have a radar system to warn drivers about wildlife. Traditional crossing structures are too expensive due to land ownership and the large herds of migrating elk. These changes, along with road reconstruction, aim to decrease wildlife collisions and give drivers more time to react. The project is expected to be complete in late summer 2022.
I-25 South Gap
4
large span bridges that are designed as dedicated wildlife underpasses
1
multi-use structure under the newly constructed six lane highway.
About the Project
The I-25 South Gap project was needed to expand the only 2-lane portion of the highway (each direction) between Denver and Colorado Springs to 3-lanes. The project spans 18 miles of I-25 between Castle Rock and Monument. The structures were completed in fall 2021 and are connected by an 8’ high wildlife exclusion fence.
CDOT is designing a wildlife overpass located south of Greenland, however construction funding has not been secured. CDOT and Colorado Parks and Wildlife partnered on a research project which started in Fall 2021 and continues at least until Fall 2024. The collaboration between CDOT and CPW was a shining example of how both agencies (with different missions) can work together for a mutually beneficial project. Listen to this podcast to learn more.
I-70 West Vail Pass
2
large wildlife underpass structures to pass large ungulates such as elk and deer
4
smaller structures designed for black bear, mountain lion and lynx
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wildlife underpasses
About the Project
The project improvements include an eastbound and westbound auxiliary lane, reconstruction of tight curves, shoulder widening and wildlife underpasses along with wildlife exclusion fence on I-70 on the west side of Vail Pass in Eagle County. The structures are located in the top five miles of the pass and tie into existing large span bridges lower on I-70. The anticipated completion date for the underpasses and associated wildlife features is 2024.
Highway 160 West of Pagosa Springs
2
large crossing structures
1
wildlife underpass completed in 2021
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wildlife overpass completed in 2022
1
associated wildlife fence to guide animals to the crossings and associated escape ramps
60%
of car crashes in the area were wildlife-vehicle collisions prior to project completion
About the Project
The main goal of the project was to construct new wildlife mitigation structures along a 2 mile stretch of Highway 160 west of Pagosa Springs to reduce wildlife-vehicle conflicts and maintain habitat connectivity. Highway 160 bisects important deer and elk migration routes and winter range. Wildlife migrating from the high country each fall have to navigate across the highway to access winter range to the south, and then in the spring the animals make their way back across the highway to head north to higher elevation summer range. Whereas, some deer and elk winter along Highway 160 and make regular movements across the highway during the winter months. A multi-year study is planned to monitor the impact of the project on reducing wildlife-vehicle conflicts and maintaining wildlife movement permeability.
Highway 9 South of Kremmling
Video: "Colorado State Highway 9 Wildlife Crossings - The First Five Years" - CPW
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wildlife underpasses were completed along a 10.5 mile stretch of State Highway 9 south of Kremmling in 2016
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overpasses were completed along a 10.5 mile stretch of State Highway 9 south of Kremmling in 2016
90%
reduction in wildlife vehicle collisions carcasses documented from November 2015 through April 2020
About the Project
Wildlife exclusion fence spans the project area and guides animals to the crossings. CDOT and CPW co-funded a research project from November 2015 through April 2020, researchers documented over 112,000 mule deer successful crossings at the 7 crossing structures, along with elk, black bear, moose, pronghorn, bobcats and many other wildlife species. See how this mitigation project has succeeded in providing safe passages for wildlife while improving motorist safety.
Our Work
How can We Help?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, collaborating with partners, can take various steps to help wildlife move freely. Installing wildlife crossings and radar systems will reduce collisions with vehicles and keep paths open. Removing old fences or making them wildlife-friendly lowers the risk of entanglement, and setting timing rules and buffer zones reduces disturbance to wildlife in crucial areas.
To this end, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife completed the West Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study (2019) and the East Slope and Plains Wildlife Prioritization Study (2022). These studies guide efforts to improve safe travel for both drivers and wildlife in Colorado, using limited transportation funds more effectively.