Cooler temperatures, golden aspens and quieter trails make fall a great time to head to the mountains. But travelers aren’t the only ones on the move. As wildlife migrate toward winter habitat and enter fall mating season, drivers need to be ready for animals near, and on, the road.
Whether you’re traveling the I-70 Mountain Corridor or taking a connecting road to your favorite mountain town, a little extra attention can help protect you, other travelers and Colorado’s wildlife.
Why fall calls for extra caution
Fall brings seasonal movement for deer, elk and other wildlife. As weather conditions change, animals travel in search of food, mates and winter habitat, sometimes crossing roads along the way. Shorter days also mean more driving in low light, when animals can be harder to spot. Wildlife collisions can happen anytime, but the hours between dusk and dawn call for particular care.
Creating safer routes for wildlife
Along I-70, the Colorado Department of Transportation is making improvements that help keep animals off the road and provide safer ways for them to move through their habitat.
At I-70 and Genesee, a wildlife underpass completed in spring 2024 allows animals to travel beneath I-70 between the Genesee and Lookout Mountain exits. The location was identified as having the highest number of wildlife-vehicle collisions on I-70 east of the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels. Fencing along both sides of the interstate helps guide animals toward the crossing, and cameras have already captured elk, deer, bears and other wildlife using it. You can see the crossing in action on CDOT’s project webpage.
The Genesee underpass was delivered as one of the I-70 Floyd Hill Early Projects. Wildlife safety improvements are also part of the main I-70 Floyd Hill Project, where crews have installed a system that includes two miles of wildlife fencing, seven wildlife escape ramps and deer guards. Escape ramps provide a way out for animals that get inside the fenced highway area, while deer guards help deter animals from entering the highway. CDOT expects this system, together with the Genesee underpass, to help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by 90%.
These investments are an important part of making mountain travel safer. Drivers still play an essential role by staying alert, slowing down and watching for unexpected animal movement.
Give yourself time to react
According to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), few simple habits can make a difference on your next mountain drive:
- Slow down and stay focused. Follow posted speed limits and adjust your speed for visibility and road conditions. Put your phone away and keep your attention on driving.
- Scan beyond the lane ahead. Watch both roadsides for movement and eyes reflecting in your headlights.
- Take wildlife crossing signs seriously. They identify areas where animals are known to move across the road, though wildlife can appear elsewhere, too.
- Expect more than one animal. If a deer or elk crosses ahead, others may follow. Stay alert after the first animal has passed.
- Buckle up. Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt on every trip.
If an animal enters the road, avoid swerving
A sudden wildlife encounter can leave little time to react. Brake firmly while keeping control of your vehicle and staying in your lane. An abrupt swerve can turn an animal encounter into a rollover or a collision with another vehicle. CSP advises that if a collision is imminent, braking in your lane is generally safer than swerving.
If you hit an animal, move to a safe location off the roadway if possible and report the crash to CSP at *277. Call 911 if anyone is injured or there is an immediate emergency. Keep your distance from injured wildlife and let emergency first responders handle the situation.
Plan your drive with wildlife in mind
Before heading out, check the GoI70 travel forecast to help avoid the busiest travel periods and COtrip for current road conditions. If your plan includes an early departure or an evening drive home, make wildlife awareness part of that plan. Less traffic doesn’t mean fewer reasons to stay alert.
The mountains are home to the wildlife we love seeing. On your next trip, give yourself extra time, keep your eyes on the road and help everyone reach their destination safely.