CONIFER -  The Polis administration announced new funding for wildlife mitigation projects across Colorado. Gov. Polis signed a new bipartisan law in Summit County this summer SB22-151, the Safe Passage for Colorado Wildlife and Motorists, that authorizes general funds to be used for wildlife mitigation projects. Under the Polis administration, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance (CWTA) have worked together to identify seven projects that will provide safe road crossings for wildlife connectivity and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.

“Preserving nature and protecting Colorado’s unique wildlife are increasingly important as we continue to see our population and infrastructure needs grow. Along those lines, I am thrilled that we are making meaningful investments in wildlife protection which will also help to prevent dangerous and costly vehicle-wildlife collisions on our roads. Finding innovative ways to protect human and animal lives while maintaining habitat connectivity will ensure that our spectacular public lands remain a treasure for future generations to enjoy,” said First Gentleman Marlon Reis.

Governor Polis has supported wildlife crossing projects across Colorado and this summer visited the completed wildlife underpass that is a part of US160 Wildlife Crossing Project. He has also celebrated groundbreakings for future protections at the I-25 South Gap project which includes four wildlife crossings, the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lane Project which will include six wildlife underpasses and other protections, and the I-70 Floyd Hill Project which will include wildlife protections and habitat restoration.

“This additional funding will boost wildlife mitigation in highway projects already identified for construction in CDOT’s 10-year prioritization plan,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Structural features like underpasses, overpasses and deer fencing add substantial safety for animals and drivers. These beneficial project elements can now be added to the scope of work in these scheduled projects.”

The seven projects that will receive funding through this law signed by Governor Polis include:

Central Colorado

$500,000 - US Highway 285 near Conifer, installation of wildlife fencing

Southeast Colorado

$750,000 - I-25 Raton Pass, design of wildlife crossings and fencing

$500,000 - CO Highway 115 at Rock Creek south of Colorado Springs, installation of wildlife fencing

Northwest Colorado

$750,000 - I-70 East Vail Pass, design of wildlife crossings and fencing

$150,000 - CO 13 north of Craig, installation of radar detection

$325,000 - CO 13 north of Craig, construction of wildlife mitigation features

Southwest Colorado

$500,000 - US 550 north of Ridgway, construction of wildlife underpass and fencing

“We greatly appreciate the leadership of First Gentleman Marlon Reis and our partnership with CDOT in prioritizing more wildlife mitigation projects across Colorado,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “The more projects we are able to fund will help assist wildlife to move naturally across the landscape and provide improved safety for Colorado drivers and travelers.”

In 2019, Governor Polis issued an Executive Order that took steps to research and implement strategies to protect Colorado wildlife and prevent conflict with expanding infrastructure. The Executive Order outlines multiple actions to protect big game including directing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to follow migration patterns, assess the top threats and gaps in protection, and propose policies and regulations to better protect wildlife. CDOT was directed to collaborate with DNR to use the migration information in future infrastructure projects to include more protections to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. Previous wildlife crossings and protections in Colorado had seen successful prevention outcomes and prioritized expanding this effort. 

In the Governor’s 2019 Executive Order, it was directed that the Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Department of Transportation conduct a big game policy report on threats to Colorado’s wildlife habitats and ways to better protect big game. In 2021 when the big game report was released, one finding was a big threat to Colorado wildlife is roads and infrastructure. The report identified possible solutions like strategic improvements to infrastructure to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and other ways to prevent accidents and keep people and wildlife safe.

A portion of the $5 million will be used to support future wildlife-transportation program needs. The CWTA will receive $250,000 in operating funds. The CWTA is a statewide coalition of state, federal and tribal agencies, as well as academic, nonprofit, biologist and engineering partners.

Additionally, $1.275 million will be used as matching funds for federal grants.