Changing Weather Pushes Wildlife to Lower Elevations

STATEWIDE—Without warning, at almost any time of day or night, motorists can encounter the sudden movement of wildlife crossing the road. Vehicle collisions with wildlife happen year round, but statistics indicate that the migration of animals to their wintering habitats can lead to higher incidents of animal-vehicle collisions (AVC) during the fall and winter seasons.

CDOT and partnering agencies the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) remind motorists to be alert because, "Wildlife are on the Move!"

"As days shorten, temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, many wildlife species move from their high elevation summer ranges in the mountains and plateaus and travel to lower elevation winter ranges in the foothills and valleys," said Mark Lawler, CDOT biologist. "The essential habitats for these animals are intersected by Colorado's highways, forcing wildlife to cross roadways in search of food, water, space and shelter."

Over the past four years the state has seen a rise in the number of reported wildlife related collisions. State agencies track reported collisions with wildlife. The statistics count all types of animals including small and large mammals―from raccoon and skunk to moose and elk. However, the most significant number of AVCs occur with deer. In 2016, agencies reported more than 4,600 deer killed on Colorado highways.

Motorists should be aware that a majority of AVCs occur from dusk to dawn, when wildlife are more active and, unfortunately, are more difficult to see.

CSP Capt. Adrian Driscol offered this advice if a wildlife collision does occur, "Drivers should brake, look, and steer. Brake, slow down and concentrate on keeping control of your vehicle. Look around and be aware of your surroundings, especially other vehicles in front or behind you. Then steer and move your vehicle to a safe position off the road."

The best practice for drivers is to be aware, drive with caution and slow down, especially at night. While most every road in both rural and urban areas will have wildlife attempting to cross the roadway, road kill statistics have pinpointed some highways that are more frequently used as corridors for wildlife on the move. (See highways listed in the "CDOT regions at a glance" section below.)

Driscol added, "If you see one deer or elk, more than likely you can expect others crossing the highway, too."

CDOT Regions at a Glance

2016 Road Kill Data or AVC (Animal Vehicle Collisions) Summaries by Region

Improving Highway Safety

To address the growing concern about AVCs on Colorado highways, several state and federal agencies met this past summer at the first-ever Wildlife and Transportation Summit. The purpose of the two-day event was to establish partnerships and develop an action plan to improve highway safety and protect wildlife populations and their movement corridors.

"The Summit focused on informing and fostering partnerships with important stakeholders," said Dean Riggs, CPW deputy regional manager. "As we move forward, it's essential to continue educating agencies' staff, regional decision-makers, private stakeholders and the general public on current issues such as animal-vehicle collisions, highway safety, and implementation of highway mitigation features like wildlife fencing, overpasses and underpasses."

Participants of the Summit also took part in a field trip to the recently completed Colorado Highway (CO) 9 Wildlife & Safety Improvements project. The project included the installation of two wildlife overpasses, five wildlife underpasses and high wildlife fencing. The project will be used as a potential model for future projects across the state.

"This 11-mile stretch of highway in north-central Colorado has seen an 87 percent decrease in animal-vehicle collisions since the project's two-phased completion," added Riggs. "We are anxious to see how the amount of collisions may change on this corridor as the five year study progresses."

A moose uses the wildlife overpass on CO 9 in the fall of 2016.