Summit County Safe Passages

06/19/2026

Canada jays are year-round residents of Colorado's high-elevation forests, and they're known for an impressive survival strategy.

Unlike many birds, Canada jays begin nesting in late winter—sometimes when snow is still on the ground. To make that possible, they spend months caching food in tree bark, branches, and other hiding spots throughout the forest.

Their memory isn't perfect, but it's good enough to help them find many of those hidden snacks when food is scarce.

It's one of the reasons these hardy birds can thrive in mountain environments year-round.

06/18/2026

One of the most thoughtful recent conversations about wildlife crossings in Colorado came from an unexpected source: a fifth grader.

In a letter to the editor published by the Vail Daily, Bryce Dobson of Brush Creek Elementary shared his concern about wildlife–vehicle collisions and the need for solutions that help keep both animals and drivers safe.

Bryce highlighted the success of Colorado's existing wildlife crossings and the opportunity to build on that progress in places like East Vail Pass. It's encouraging to see the next generation paying attention to the challenges facing Colorado's wildlife—and thinking about how we can address them.

Well done, Bryce!

An animal in the road is sometimes unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do something about it. Many people have different opinions about animals being left dead on the road, but I think we...

06/17/2026

Wildlife wasted no time putting California's new Siskiyou Wildlife Crossing to use!

Recent photos captured mule deer using the crossing, providing an early glimpse of how animals are responding to the new structure. The crossing was built to reconnect habitat divided by Interstate 5 and provide a safer route for wildlife moving through the region.

While it can take time for some species to adapt to new infrastructure, these early images are an encouraging sign that animals are already incorporating the crossing into their movement patterns.

Sometimes the best measure of success is simple: wildlife showing up.

This wildlife overpass is already saving precious lives!

06/12/2026

Chipmunks may be small, but they're surprisingly vocal.

They use a variety of chirps, trills, and chattering calls to communicate with one another, often alerting nearby animals when a predator is in the area.

This time of year, chipmunks are busy gathering food, defending territories, and raising young—making them some of the most active wildlife you'll spot around Summit County trails and campgrounds.

06/05/2026

Coyote pups are beginning to emerge from their dens across Colorado.

At this stage, pups are highly dependent on adults for food and protection, and coyote families become much more active around den sites. Older siblings from previous litters will often help feed, guard, and play with the new pups — something relatively uncommon among many carnivores.

That cooperative behavior is part of what makes coyotes so adaptable in a wide range of environments.

06/04/2026

Boulder is getting in on the wildlife crossings fun!

Boulder County is advancing plans for new wildlife crossings along U.S. 36, a corridor where roads intersect with important wildlife movement routes between open space areas.

The update comes at a notable moment for Colorado, following the recent passage of the Wildlife Collision Prevention Act and growing statewide momentum around wildlife connectivity and road safety.

Six potential crossing sites were identified on U.S. 36 as a new state bill would fuel funds for wildlife collision prevention projects.

06/01/2026

Researchers at the University of Georgia are studying how road design can better protect both wildlife and drivers.

Current projects focus on identifying where animals are most likely to cross roadways and how infrastructure can reduce collisions while maintaining habitat connectivity. The work combines engineering, wildlife biology, and mapping data to better understand how animals move through developed landscapes.

As wildlife crossings expand nationwide, research partnerships like these are helping guide where and how future projects are built.

University of Georgia researchers are designing new roadway passages to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions and reduce flooding.

05/30/2026

Wildlife crossings are continuing to gain momentum at the federal level!

A House committee recently passed a transportation bill that includes continued funding for the federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program — a program that helps support projects designed to reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity across the country.

The bill was introduced with bipartisan support, including from Colorado Representative Jeff Hurd, one of the program’s co-sponsors.

The program has already helped fund projects in multiple states, including Colorado, where crossings and fencing have shown major reductions in collisions involving wildlife.

New bill would help save America’s wildlife by reauthorizing and increasing funding for wildlife crossings

05/29/2026

Mule deer are entering one of the most vulnerable times of year.

In late spring, does begin searching for quiet areas with good cover as fawning season approaches. Unlike elk calves, mule deer fawns spend their first weeks relying heavily on camouflage and stillness rather than movement to avoid predators.

Their spotted coats and lack of scent help them remain nearly invisible in tall grass and brush during those early days of life.

05/28/2026

Wildlife crossings can reduce crashes with animals by more than 90%.

Now, thanks to the Wildlife Collision Prevention Act, Colorado will be able to build more of these life-saving structures — helping create safer roads for both wildlife and the people traveling through our state.

After months of bipartisan support and momentum throughout the legislative session, the bill has officially been signed into law!

https://www.roaringforksafepassages.org/updatesandstories/press-release-wildlife-collision-prevention-act-becomes-law