VIDEO: Colorado Has a Chance to Save Lives and Money with More Wildlife Crossings

Every year in Colorado, wildlife-vehicle collisions change lives in an instant. These crashes injure drivers and passengers, devastate families, and take a heavy toll on wildlife and communities. But they are preventable, and we know what works: wildlife crossings. 

The video below shares the powerful stories of three Coloradans whose lives were forever altered by crashes with wildlife. 

Professional skier Chris Davenport survived a collision with an elk and explains how these crashes threaten not only human safety, but Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy. Mary Rodriguez lost her father in a wildlife collision and turned her grief into advocacy, determined to spare other families the same loss. Rancher Mike Ritschard lost both of his parents in a crash with wildlife; a tragedy that drove him to help raise funds and build wildlife crossings that are now saving lives.

Wildlife crossings are a proven solution. They reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by approximately 90%, protecting people, wildlife, and the great outdoors that define Colorado. The state has made important progress, but many dangerous roadways remain unfunded and unaddressed. 

During this legislative session, the Colorado state legislature has a critical opportunity to act. By allocating funding for wildlife crossings, lawmakers can save lives and money. These are proven solutions, and Colorado must invest in wildlife crossings to keep people and wildlife safe.