House Advances Bill to Improve Road Safety, Reduce Costs and Fund Wildlife Crossings

DENVER, CO – The House today advanced bipartisan legislation on a preliminary vote to prevent wildlife collisions and improve road safety.

“Creating dedicated funding for wildlife crossings will reduce collisions to keep road users safe and protect Colorado’s precious wildlife,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “In addition to causing casualties, wildlife collisions can lead to costly vehicle or property damage, which also increases insurance costs. The Wildlife Collision Prevention Act would create more opportunities for projects, like fencing and overpasses, that support animal migration while protecting motorists.”

SB26-141 would create an optional $5 collision prevention fee during annual vehicle registrations, creating reliable and dedicated funding for wildlife crossing infrastructure.

The bill aims to dramatically reduce motor vehicle crashes with wildlife by authorizing an optional $5 fee that will be collected during annual vehicle registration beginning in 2027. The fund would be used to construct wildlife collision prevention infrastructure, including overpasses, underpasses, jump-outs, and fencing, and would also allow Colorado to leverage federal matching funds for these projects. A portion of the funds would also benefit the Wildlife Cash Fund, administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, to conserve habitat on either side of the crossings.

Collisions with wildlife can be fatal, damage property, and create financial burdens. In 2024, at least 3,500 crashes with animals occurred on Colorado roads. From 2010-2025, these tragic accidents resulted in 52 motorist fatalities and over 400 serious injuries. The total estimated annual cost of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Colorado is over $300 million. Wildlife crossings have been shown to reduce these collisions by more than 90 percent.