Colorado Wildlife Overpass Cuts Vehicle-Animal Collisions by 91%

A newly released report shows that a Colorado wildlife overpass has successfully cut vehicle-animal collisions by 91% since its completion 10 months ago, according to The Guardian. State officials have tracked diverse animals, including herds of elk, bears, pronghorn, and northern leopard frogs, utilizing the structure to safely traverse a busy interstate.

According to Brandon Marette, a wildlife biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, a particularly notable moment involved receiving a photograph from the Colorado Department of Transportation showing an elk mother guiding her calf to safety. Prior to the construction of this bridge, officials noted that the corridor experienced an average of one wildlife-vehicle crash every single day.

Success of the Colorado Wildlife Overpass

Situated between Denver and Colorado Springs, the bridge spans six lanes of traffic across Interstate 25. It connects 39,000 acres of divided habitat. Measuring 200 feet wide and 209 feet long, the overpass is covered in grass and features gradually sloped entrances designed to make crossings comfortable for animals.

State officials emphasize that while smaller underpasses or tunnels work for some species, large game animals such as elk and pronghorn require open structures. Chuck Attardo, an environmental manager for the Colorado Department of Transportation, explained that large game animals prefer wide, open spaces where they can see for miles in every direction. For instance, pronghorn have been documented on video using the overpass to travel to the west side for the first time in decades.

Biodiversity and Future Infrastructure Plans

In addition to large game, officials have tracked mule deer, coyotes, rabbits, and smaller creatures such as frogs and the threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse utilizing the corridor. Research demonstrates that such infrastructure projects often pay for themselves by preventing costly accidents while protecting both human and animal lives.

Although the project initially secured $22 million in federal funding and $8 million from the state, officials ultimately completed construction for $15 million. With nearly 20 wildlife crossings currently underway across the United States—making the Colorado structure the largest—the Colorado Department of Transportation hopes to construct additional crossings throughout the state in the future.

Source: Colorado wildlife overpass cut vehicle-animal collisions by 91%, report finds (source-feed timestamp 2026-10-19T21:39:09+00:00). AI-assisted report based on the cited linked article and its RSS feed; details were not independently verified.