Seven wildlife mitigation projects — underpasses, overpasses and fencing — have just been awarded funding, the result of bipartisan legislation passed during the 2022 session.

Senate Bill 22-151, the Safe Passage for Colorado Wildlife and Motorists, received $5 million in general fund support to set up fencing and wildlife crossings that would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in rural Colorado.

Since the bill’s signing during the summer, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance have worked together to identify the seven projects.

“This additional funding will boost wildlife mitigation in highway projects already identified for construction in CDOT’s 10-year prioritization plan,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Structural features like underpasses, overpasses and deer fencing add substantial safety for animals and drivers. These beneficial project elements can now be added to the scope of work in these scheduled projects.”

The seven projects are:

Central Colorado

$500,000 – US Highway 285 near Conifer, installation of wildlife fencing

Southeast Colorado

$750,000 – I-25 Raton Pass, design of wildlife crossings and fencing

$500,000 – CO Highway 115 at Rock Creek south of Colorado Springs, installation of wildlife fencing

Northwest Colorado

$750,000 – I-70 East Vail Pass, design of wildlife crossings and fencing

$150,000 – CO 13 north of Craig, installation of radar detection

$325,000 – CO 13 north of Craig, construction of wildlife mitigation features

Southwest Colorado

$500,000 – US 550 north of Ridgway, construction of wildlife underpass and fencing

In a statement, Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday said a portion of the $5 million will be used to support future wildlife-transportation program needs. The Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance will receive $250,000 in operating funds. Another $1.275 million will be used as matching funds for federal grants.