Summit County Safe Passages

10/16/2026

For mule deer, fall migration isn't just about following the changing weather. It's also about memory.

Each year, many mule deer travel between higher-elevation summer habitats and lower-elevation winter ranges, often following familiar migration routes. Research suggests that these routes are learned over time, with younger deer learning important movement patterns from their mothers.

That means migration is more than a seasonal journey. It's knowledge passed from one generation to the next, helping deer find the resources they need throughout the year.

10/15/2026

Fall is one of the most dangerous times of year for wildlife on Colorado's roads—and new data shows why drivers should be paying attention.

According to the Colorado State Patrol, troopers investigated 3,904 wildlife-related crashes in 2025, up from 2,296 in 2021. October through December is the peak season for these collisions as animals move between seasonal habitats and mating activity increases.

Several stretches of I-70 are among the state's higher-risk areas, making this an especially important reminder for those traveling through Colorado's mountain communities.

As you head out this fall, watch for wildlife along roadways, slow down when visibility is limited, and remember that where there's one animal, others may be nearby. If an animal suddenly appears in your path, brake firmly and avoid swerving into another lane.

Safer roads start with awareness, and long-term solutions like wildlife crossings help make these journeys safer for everyone.

As fall mating and migration seasons get underway, wildlife officials are urging Colorado drivers to slow down and stay alert, particularly during the early morning and evening hours when animals are more active.

10/10/2026

Did you know coyotes can communicate with more than just howls?

Coyotes use a variety of sounds, including yips, barks, whines, and growls, to communicate with one another. And here's something surprising: just a few coyotes calling together can sound like a much larger pack!

So the next time you hear a chorus of yips and howls echoing through the Colorado mountains, there might be fewer coyotes than you think.

10/06/2026

Wildlife crossings are inspiring more than safer roads—they're inspiring art.

In Aspen, 12 local artists are exploring wildlife movement, wildlife-vehicle collisions, and the idea of "safe passage" through a mixed-media exhibition appropriately titled Safe Passages.

The exhibition at Aspen Chapel Gallery is also supporting the work of our friends at Roaring Fork Safe Passages, with a portion of art sales benefiting the organization.

We love seeing the wildlife connectivity conversation move beyond roads and into creative spaces. Art has a unique way of helping people see familiar landscapes—and the wildlife moving through them—a little differently.

Aspen Chapel Gallery opens new show today

10/03/2026

Red foxes have a hunting trick that looks a little like a headfirst dive.

When they detect small prey beneath grass or snow, foxes can leap high into the air and plunge down front-paws-first—a behavior known as "mousing."

Their hearing is so sensitive that they can locate small animals they can't even see, making that dramatic pounce much more calculated than it looks.

Sometimes being a successful hunter requires a little flair.

09/30/2026

A collision involving a moose briefly closed westbound I-70 between Silverthorne and Frisco today—a sobering reminder that wildlife-vehicle collisions aren't an abstract issue. They happen right here in our community.

Summit County sits within important wildlife habitat, and I-70 creates a major barrier for animals moving across the landscape. Encounters like this underscore why creating safer ways for wildlife to cross our roads matters for animals and motorists alike.

As you travel through the high country, especially around dawn and dusk, stay alert, watch the shoulders of the road, and slow down when wildlife may be present.

This is why we continue working toward safer passage on East Vail Pass.

Read more from Summit Daily:

A crash on Interstate 70 led to a moose being euthanized Sept. 23, according to the Summit County Sheriff's Office.

09/24/2026

Want to help Colorado wildlife this fall? Here’s your chance to turn your observations into data.

From October 2–11, Environment Colorado, Wild Aware, and Roaring Fork Safe Passages are inviting volunteers across the state to document wildlife observed along Colorado roads as part of a statewide citizen science project.

Using an app developed by the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, volunteers will record wildlife sightings to help researchers better understand how roads affect wildlife movement—and build a clearer picture of where solutions like wildlife crossings are needed.

Interested? A volunteer training webinar will be held Thursday, September 25 at 6 p.m. MT, featuring experts from CU Boulder, the Colorado Department of Transportation, and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office. Volunteers will also learn how to use the app before heading into the field. The webinar will be recorded for anyone who can't attend live.

Learn more and sign up:

Become a roadside wildlife tracker now.

09/18/2026

It's elk rut season—and things can get a little messy.

During the rut, bull elk create shallow depressions called wallows, where they roll in mud and coat themselves with a mixture of water, mud, and their own scent.

It may not sound particularly appealing to us, but for an elk, that distinctive scent can help advertise his presence during breeding season.

Apparently, impressing a date looks a little different in the elk world.

09/16/2026

What if every $1 spent on a wildlife crossing could provide $10 in benefits?

A new Florida study looked beyond the conservation benefits of wildlife crossings to calculate their financial impact. The findings estimate that a single crossing could prevent 1,400 collisions, 60 injuries, and 1,200 animal deaths over its lifetime—all while saving money associated with vehicle damage, emergency response, and other costs.

The study also highlights ways communities can make crossings more affordable, from adapting existing bridges and culverts to incorporating wildlife connectivity into road projects already being planned.

Wildlife crossings don't just reconnect habitat. They're an investment in safer roads, healthier ecosystems, and communities.

https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/news/access-newswire/live-wildly-releases-study-help-169315941.html

New Study Reveals Wildlife Crossings Can Provide Communities a 10-to-1 Return on Investment Through Healthier Natural Resources, Reduced Car Collisions and Saved Lives

09/15/2026

Colorado's wildlife crossings are delivering results.

Along Highway 13 north of R***e, wildlife crossings installed in 2023 have helped reduce animal carcasses by 86%, while crashes along the same stretch have decreased by 97%.

And Colorado isn't stopping there. The Colorado Department of Transportation has identified additional priority locations for wildlife crossings—including the East Vail Pass project on I-70.

Federal funding has played an important role in moving wildlife crossing projects forward across the country, but the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program is currently set to expire at the end of September.

You can help. Contact Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and ask them to support continued federal funding for wildlife crossings. Environment Colorado makes it easy to send a message directly to both senators.

Tell your U.S. senators to support wildlife crossings --->

Wildlife crossings could save millions of animal lives each year.