Wilz: Build the crossings

Highway 82 is one of the most dangerous corridors in Colorado for wildlife-vehicle collisions. In the Roaring Fork Valley, we all know what that looks like in real time: injured animals on the shoulder or in traffic, totaled vehicles and families shaken up — often worse.

This is not an unavoidable cost of living in a mountain valley. I believe it to be a solvable infrastructure problem.

They’re used in many EU countries and the Front Range has some plans and drawings together to construct passages in high-conflict areas.

Roaring Fork Safe Passages is pursuing a practical, proven solution: wildlife crossings and associated fencing that guide animals to safe, predictable points of passage.

These structures are not “nice-to-haves.” They are public safety infrastructure that reduce collisions, lower emergency response burden, protect drivers and preserve the wildlife that defines this place.

Colorado has already demonstrated that wildlife crossings work. The question is whether we will apply that same level of seriousness here — on a road that’s now unimaginably congested and that wildlife must navigate year-round.

I support Roaring Fork Safe Passages and encourage our local and state leadership, agencies and private donors to help move this from concept to construction.

This is a rare kind of project that is simultaneously humane, fiscally responsible and operationally smart.

If we care about safety, stewardship and the long-term integrity of this valley, I believe we should build the crossings.

Andrew Wilz

Aspen