Summit County Safe Passages

05/29/2026

Mule deer are entering one of the most vulnerable times of year.

In late spring, does begin searching for quiet areas with good cover as fawning season approaches. Unlike elk calves, mule deer fawns spend their first weeks relying heavily on camouflage and stillness rather than movement to avoid predators.

Their spotted coats and lack of scent help them remain nearly invisible in tall grass and brush during those early days of life.

05/28/2026

Wildlife crossings can reduce crashes with animals by more than 90%.

Now, thanks to the Wildlife Collision Prevention Act, Colorado will be able to build more of these life-saving structures — helping create safer roads for both wildlife and the people traveling through our state.

After months of bipartisan support and momentum throughout the legislative session, the bill has officially been signed into law!

https://www.roaringforksafepassages.org/updatesandstories/press-release-wildlife-collision-prevention-act-becomes-law

05/19/2026

A new report out of Wyoming is showing just how effective wildlife crossings can be.

Researchers found that crossings paired with fencing are significantly reducing wildlife–vehicle collisions while helping animals continue moving through important migration corridors. In some locations, wildlife use of crossings has steadily increased over time as animals adapt to the structures.

The report also highlights an important point: crossings work best as part of a larger system that includes fencing, habitat connectivity, and long-term monitoring — not as standalone structures.

https://891khol.org/wildlife-crossings-are-working-new-report-shows/

Car crashes with big game down 67% after South US Highway 89’s new crossings.

05/15/2026

Coyote pups are being born across Colorado right now!

Unlike adult coyotes, pups are born completely dependent on the den for the first several weeks of life. During this time, adult coyotes make frequent trips back and forth carrying food — often along the same travel routes repeatedly.

One lesser-known fact: older siblings from previous litters will sometimes help care for and feed new pups, making coyotes one of the more cooperative canid species in North America.

05/13/2026

A major milestone for wildlife crossings in Colorado!

The Wildlife Collision Prevention Act (SB26-141) has officially passed the legislature and is now awaiting Governor Polis’ signature.

The bill would create a new Collision Prevention Fund to support wildlife crossing infrastructure and related safety improvements across the state through a voluntary $5 vehicle registration contribution. Supporters point to projects like the Highway 9 crossings near Kremmling, which reduced wildlife collisions by more than 90%.

As Colorado continues investing in road safety and habitat connectivity, this marks one of the most significant statewide steps forward for wildlife crossings in recent years.

A bill that would help fund wildlife crossings on Colorado roadways through voluntary $5 fees people would pay when they register their vehicles is awaiting action by Gov. Jared Polis

05/11/2026

A recent mountain lion death along Yucca Grade in Southern California is drawing renewed attention to a long-discussed wildlife crossing in the area.

The roadway cuts through a known movement corridor, and collisions have been an ongoing issue as animals move between habitat areas. Local agencies and partners have been working to advance a crossing that would provide a safer route across the road.

Mountain lions require large territories and often travel long distances, making them especially vulnerable in areas where roads fragment habitat.

https://z1077fm.com/recent-mountain-lion-death-on-yucca-grade-highlights-need-for-wildlife-crossing/

The call came in around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, a fatality on the Yucca Grade - an unlucky mountain lion crossed paths with a moving vehicle and

05/08/2026

Yellow-bellied marmots are starting to reappear across Colorado after months of hibernation!

They spend most of the year underground, emerging in spring with one priority: regain weight as quickly as possible during a short active season.

One lesser-known fact: marmots can lose up to half their body weight during hibernation, making these early weeks above ground especially important.

Often seen stretched out on rocks in the sun, they’re one of the clearest signs that high-elevation landscapes are waking up.

05/06/2026

Did you know that wildlife–vehicle collisions aren’t random — they tend to happen in the same places over and over again?
Many species follow consistent travel routes shaped by terrain, vegetation, and seasonal needs. When a road intersects one of those routes, animals don’t necessarily change course — they attempt to cross.

Over time, those patterns show up clearly in collision data, which is one of the key tools used to identify where safety improvements can have the greatest impact!

05/04/2026

Wildlife crossings are showing up in an unexpected place — children’s books.

A recent feature highlights how a popular kids’ story is helping introduce the idea of wildlife crossings to younger audiences, using storytelling to explain how roads affect animal movement and how crossings can help.

It’s a different kind of visibility for the topic — one that brings wildlife connectivity into everyday conversations and reaches audiences well beyond transportation and conservation circles.

A coyote slips under a bridge in a children's book — and it's making the case for one of the smartest conservation investments in America. Here's why hunters and anglers should pay attention.

05/01/2026

Martens are small, but they punch above their weight!

They’ve been known to take down prey nearly their own size, including snowshoe hares, using speed and agility rather than strength.

That ability comes from a combination of sharp teeth, quick reflexes, and a hunting style built for tight, complex environments like dense forest and downed timber.

They may not look imposing — but they’re highly effective predators.

04/30/2026

Momentum continues for wildlife crossings in Colorado!

The Wildlife Collision Prevention Act (SB26-141) has now passed out of the House Finance Committee with strong support and is heading to its final stop: House Appropriations.

This marks another step forward for a bill focused on expanding funding for wildlife crossing infrastructure across the state. If passed, it would help support projects designed to reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity in key corridors.

We’ll continue following its progress as it moves through the final stages of the legislative session.

Denver7 has been following the construction of wildlife crossings across Colorado, which help prevent crashes that can end in loss of life for both people and animals. A bill aims to build more.