Pew Applauds Colorado’s Bipartisan Move to Permanently Fund Wildlife Crossings

WASHINGTON—The Pew Charitable Trusts applauds the Colorado General Assembly and Governor Jared Polis (D) for enacting bipartisan legislation establishing a collision prevention fund, which allocates dedicated annual funding for wildlife crossing projects and for conserving adjacent habitat. Senator Dylan Roberts (D), Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson (R), House Speaker Julie McCluskie (D), and Representative Rick Taggart (R) co-sponsored the bill, known as the Wildlife Collision Prevention Act, which passed May 4.

The collision prevention fund will be financed by an optional $5 fee that Colorado residents can voluntarily choose to pay during the state’s annual vehicle registration process. This money can also be used for federal grant match requirements, allowing state dollars to be leveraged for a greater return on this initial investment. Pew projects that the optional fee will raise at least $4.1 million for wildlife crossings and conservation each year.

Vehicle collisions with wildlife are a significant concern in Colorado, costing lives, damaging property, and placing financial burdens on families. According to data­ from the Colorado State Patrol, approximately 7,500 crashes with animals occurred on the state’s roads in 2024 alone, although the actual number could be much higher because of underreporting.

The total estimated annual cost of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Colorado is $321 million—the highest of any state in the West. These accidents negatively affect the health of wildlife populations, diminish wildlife viewing opportunities, and harm Colorado’s robust $65.8 billion outdoor recreation economy, in addition to the state’s hunting economy, which generates $1.6 billion in spending and supports 12,410 jobs throughout the state.

Patrick Lane, a senior manager at The Pew Charitable Trusts who focuses on habitat connectivity, issued the following statement:

“The Wildlife Collision Prevention Act will make roads safer for all Coloradans while also helping wildlife migrate between important habitats. Wildlife-vehicle collisions put the state’s drivers, first responders, and iconic wildlife at risk. This bill creates an opportunity for Coloradans to voluntarily help fund a proven solution, and it creates the financial certainty that state agencies need to complete these much-needed roadway safety projects.

“Colorado’s elected officials, in both parties, understand that wildlife crossings significantly reduce collision rates. In fact, the series of wildlife crossings completed in 2016 on State Highway 9 near Kremmling, Colorado, reduced crashes with wildlife by 92%. In addition to saving lives, these projects will reduce the number of insurance claims and minimize costly road closures.

“The Pew Charitable Trusts is thankful to the bill’s sponsors, the state Legislature, and Governor Jared Polis for tackling this important safety issue. We look forward to supporting the implementation of this new law and continuing to work with state and local leaders to ensure that these proven infrastructure projects deliver real benefits for Colorado’s drivers and wildlife.”