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Colorado State Senators have passed the Wildlife Collision Prevention Act with bipartisan support and the bill is now awaiting action in the State House.

Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a major issue in Colorado. State officials say there are an average of about 8,000 animal-related crashes annually, causing almost 50 fatalities and 5,000 injuries.

Mary Rodriguez, a victim's advocate from Castle Rock, told legislators about how her father died in a car collision with a 700-pound elk in 2024. She hopes helping to pass the measure will spare other families the trauma of losing a loved one.

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"My family and I went through such a horrific tragedy losing my dad and it has been a life-altering event," Rodriguez recounted. "We would never want to see another family or individual experience what we have."

Sponsors said the bill creates a dedicated Collision Prevention Fund for wildlife crossing projects and associated habitat conservation. The program is funded by an optional $5 fee residents can voluntarily pay during vehicle registration. The measure is currently being reviewed by House committees and if passed, will go to the full House.

Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, one of the bill's sponsors, represents a mostly rural district in the northwest part of the state. He said statistics show in the areas where the state has built wildlife crossings, animal-vehicle collisions have been reduced by more than 90%.

"Where we have been able to put up wildlife crossings and game fencing, we have seen tremendous decreases in collisions," Roberts reported. "We know that this infrastructure works."

State officials said another benefit of the wildlife crossings has been reduced auto insurance rates, as the number of accident claims has dropped. Rodriguez stressed the bill has benefits for everyone involved.

"This protects not only motorists but it also protects the wildlife herds and population in the state," Rodriguez emphasized. "It really is a win-win for everybody."