A very successful project on Colorado Highway 9 between Kremlin and Green Mountain Reservoir reduced the number of wildlife vehicle collisions by 92%, which is a huge benefit for wildlife and driver safety. victory.

This multi-million dollar project has become the envy of drivers, and it has provided inspiration for transportation planners who look at other highways inhabited by Colorado wildlife, including U.S. Highway 40 through Yampa Valley .

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colo. 9 project was completed in 2016 and includes a functional network such as two wildlife flyovers, five wildlife underpasses, 29 wildlife guards, 61 escape ramps, and 10.3 miles of Wildlife fence.

Five years of follow-up research and motion-activated camera lenses showed that this work facilitated the safe crossing of 112,678 mule deer and at least 16 species-including turkeys, moose, elk, pronghorn, otters, bobcats, and black bears. And Bighorn Sheep-used a wild animal crossing structure.

Fascinating videos of wildlife crossing can be found on Colorado Parks and the wildlife information page CPW.state.co.us/hwy9, such as images of two deer leading more hesitating elk under an underpass.

Other states in northwestern Colorado and US highways are also dangerous to animals and motorists, but funds for major mitigation measures are not easily available. According to CDOT, a key area where large numbers of wildlife and vehicle collisions have occurred is U.S. Highway 40, from the 93 milestone east of Craig to Hayden's 107 milestone.

"Milestones 93 to 107 are listed as the third priority for the development of financing strategies and future projects in Northwest Colorado across the state," said Elise Thatcher, CDOT District 3 Communications Manager.

Scott Elliott of the Colorado State Patrol, Sergeant Steamboat, emphasized that the driver had hit a "large number" of deer and elk on that stretch of road.

Organizations such as CDOT, CPW, and the Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance are working to focus and fund solutions that were outlined in the extensive West Slope Wildlife Priority Study completed in April 2019.

The study pointed out that Colorado reports nearly 4,000 car accidents involving wildlife to law enforcement agencies each year, resulting in some injuries and deaths. The annual damage caused by these collisions is estimated at 66.4 million U.S. dollars, which does not include the value of the wild animals killed.

The report states: “The collision between wild animals and vehicles is a problem on the western slopes of Colorado, home to some of the largest migrating elk and mule deer herds in North America,” and explained that 60% of strikes in the state occurred on the western slopes. Continental Divide.

Thatcher said that since the CDOT completed its “very high-level preliminary recommendations” for the area east of Craig in the spring of 2019, CDOT is beginning a wildlife study to determine the journey from Craig to Steamboat. Areas along the corridors of Te Springs where mitigation solutions can be implemented.

"We expect this to be the beginning of designing more projects for this corridor," Thatcher said. "The wildlife study will determine the feasibility of constructing wildlife mitigation measures in underground or overpasses, fences, radar detection systems, or other mitigation measures that may reduce collisions between wildlife and vehicles along this corridor."

Thatcher said that the section of U.S. Highway 40 that connects Moffat and Rott counties is also a “high priority” for the Northwestern Colorado Transportation Planning District Planning Commission.

A CDOT spokesperson stated that the maintenance patrol of the department removed 37 deer, 11 elk, 1 moose and 27 unidentified carcasses from US 40 Highway in Lauter County in 2020, a total of 78 animal carcasses. From January to October this year, maintenance personnel removed 50 deer, two elk and 55 unidentified carcasses from US 40 located in Lauter County. A total of 107 animals died.

Officials know that these figures underestimate the actual number of animals killed by vehicles, because CDOT will only remove animals from highways and will not react to dead animals on the side of the road. In addition, other institutions or individuals may remove the body from the road. Not all drivers will report a crash, and some animals will die after being hit on the road.

Officials from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Service said that large wildlife vehicle collisions can occur on roads around Yampa Valley throughout the year, especially at dawn and dusk. CDOT, CSP and CPW officials stated that a particularly important time of the year for drivers to slow down and pay close attention is when animals move from low altitude to high altitude in the spring and from high altitude to low altitude in the fall.

Elliott pointed to two other areas in Lauter County, where officials often react to wildlife vehicle collisions.

"From Milestone 136 on the east side of Steamboat City to Milestone 143 in the middle of the Rabbit Ear Pass, we saw a lot of elk colliding," he said. “In addition, from the 109th milestone east of Hayden to the 127th milestone west of Steamboat II, we have seen many elk collisions especially in winter.”

Doug Dombey, who has lived in Steamboat Springs for 26 years, was one of several drivers who crashed into a large animal in the southeast of town this fall. In addition, according to CPW, there have been at least two bear attacks in which a sow was killed and her cub became orphaned.

In early October, Dombey and his son went to the Bunny Ears Pass to hunt antelopes near Steamboat Christian Center. At around 6:30 in the morning, on a misty morning, an adult female moose appeared in the laneway.

"We have never seen it. We all think we will see (animals) in time. My number has obviously increased," Dongbei said of the collision. Dombey stated that the female moose was killed by pickup and the cow had a calf in the area. The hood of his 2016 Toyota Tacoma was crushed and the radiator was pushed back into the engine, possibly due to a cracked engine block.

"I think if you live here long enough, you will only bump into an animal. That's how it is," Dongbei said.

Dombey advises drivers to take extra care to avoid these collisions.

"It happened very quickly, a bit like driving on ice," he said. "You have to pay attention at dusk, dawn or night. Be vigilant, this is the key, just like you are on the ice."

Larry Desjardin, president of the non-profit conservation organization Keep Routt Wild, said that statistics on the size of the herd, the annual hunting harvest, and the economic impact of hunting indicating that elk were killed by vehicles may be equivalent to large game statistics US$10,000 does not include damage to the vehicle and possible injury to the human body.

"The collision between wild animals and vehicles is important," Desjardin said. "It has killed a lot of wild animals and caused a lot of damage to cars. This is a safety issue for drivers. There is no doubt that it is having a significant impact."

Desjardin said that as state transportation officials seek to reduce the number of these collisions, the West Slope wildlife prioritization study in the spring of 2019 "does very well in prioritizing the location of wildlife crossing points."

"I really want to set up more of these wildlife underpasses and flyovers and wildlife crossing points in key locations, especially where there are mitigation routes and winter ranges," Dejardin said.

He also believes that more research should be done on lowering the speed limit at certain times of the day and year.

CDOT has implemented lower night speed limits in certain designated wildlife crossing areas across the state in the past. Thatcher said that although CDOT considers the collision of wildlife vehicles, the configuration of the road and the amount of traffic have a greater impact on the speed limit.

"CDOT has conducted experiments to reduce night speed limits specifically for wild animals. However, our data shows that when people are not aware of an imminent threat, they do not actually reduce their speed. When determining where to place animal crossing signs, Will consider collisions between wild animals and vehicles," Thatcher said.

Elliott pointed out that in certain sections of Colorado Highway 13 south of Craig to the south of the rifle and U.S. Highway 40 west of Hayden, there are still some wildlife enforcement areas, which means that there are still some wildlife enforcement zones. The fines or penalties for driving will increase. CPW provides online information and tips to avoid collisions with wild animals.

CDOT District 3 Communications Manager Elise Thatcher described key wildlife migration areas along U.S. Highway 40 that could cause wildlife to collide with vehicles.

"At present, we believe that most of the wild animal vehicle collisions from Craig to Steamboat Springs in the 40 states of the United States are with migratory animals, but there are also collisions that seem to occur in the winter range. Roth County The US 40 in the US divides the winter activity range of elk into two. The area near Steamboat Springs contains sensitive habitats (production areas), and the winter activity range of 40 deer in the United States is mainly at milestone 97-102 (Between Craig and Hayden) and near milestone 112-117 (east of Yampa Valley Regional Airport).

"From milestone 112.5-115 (east of Yampa Valley Regional Airport), milestone 122-123 (east of Milner), milestone 129-130 (west of Moose River Road near Steamboat) and milestone 133-134 Known highway intersection (near Steamboat Springs Emerald Park). The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Association has identified the area around Steamboat Springs as a high concentration and Priority areas, this may be the reason for the increase in conflicts between wildlife vehicles."

To contact Suzie Romig, please call 970-871-4205 or send an email to sromig@SteamboatPilot.com.

Steamboat and readers around Routt County made the work of Steamboat Pilot & Today possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to provide high-quality, locally relevant news.

Now, your support is more important than ever and can help us educate the community about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the local area. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be dedicated to the development and creation of more news reports.

With all the decorations, gifts and banquets, holidays will cause your carbon footprint to increase substantially. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, household waste alone increased by more than 25%.

Working for a great company at Alpine Bank, we do our best to help our employees, customers and the community...

Full-time customer service FT/PT, full benefits, competitive salary Steamboat Springs Inquiries: nramberg@ssced.com

Are you looking for a school schedule with excellent welfare opportunities? The Steamboat Springs School District is looking for a school...

Hire today! CDL driver $7,500 sign-in bonus, driver apprentice $4,000 sign-in bonus Steamboat Springs, CO generous salary, generous benefits and 100% paid tuition! Careers.wm.com 1.844.969.6754Equal...

Natural Grocers is hiring multiple positions for our store in Steamboat! Join an amazing team! Great allowances and benefits! ...

Steamboat Ski Resort Company is looking for qualified applicants: elevator mechanic-one year of elevator operator, or one season of experience...

Full-time/year-round police officer-$26.68-$37.35/hour Ski and rodeo team leader-$24.36-$32.89/hour open space and...

The shuttle driver is $17 + tip and the front desk is $18-19, plus a season-end bonus! Our shuttle is equipped with plexiglass to ensure safety...

Are you looking for a school schedule with excellent welfare opportunities? Check out our open positions on Steamboat...

Applicants should be friendly, efficient, and detail-oriented team players. Provide employee benefits.

The pizza shop in Brooklyn is accepting applications from PT/FT pizza manufacturers to provide drivers with PT counters to help with competitive wages, meals, tips, annual...

Want to make more than $325 a week and $325 a week? Steamboat Pilot & Today is looking for responsible individuals...

Social worker consultant, interventionist, auxiliary professional, basic education teacher, special education auxiliary, professional bus driver substitute teacher

A housekeeper is needed. Full-time positions throughout the year. Work 5 days a week. $19.00 per hour plus start. 3 considerable seasonality...

Steamboat Sothebys is looking for part-time, year-round and weekend administrative assistants. The applicant must be a team player and be able to...

The Colorado Office of the Public Defender (OSPD) maintains its reputation as one of the top organizations in the United States...

At Northwest Colorado Health, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve optimal health. Clinical and non-clinical positions are available, some positions...

Honey Stinger seeks to fill the position of a sales support representative in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He/she will provide the order...

Administrator support-Sweetwood Smokehouse is looking for energetic people to join our team. Attention to detail and organization...

-Secondary school social worker-Primary school teacher-Food service (PT/FT)-Long-term deputy (spring)-Bus driver (PT/FT)-Guardian (PT/FT) -...

On Friday morning, Steamboat Springs was very lively, snowplows swept the streets, residents shoveled sidewalks and driveways, and many people went to the slopes to welcome the first powder snow day of the season.

Watch Steamboat Pilot & Today announce the winners of the 2021 Best Boat Award.

Steamboat Resort, with 5 trails, 20 acres of land and hundreds of eager smiles, opened on Saturday, November 27th.

Air bubbles rising from the surface of the rain puddle on the edge of the wellhead casing may notice leaks at the oil and gas drilling site.

Hayden-One night, when Lane Iacovetto was browsing her Facebook feed, she saw a video that she found interesting.

Do not sell my personal information

Winter Park-Granby-Grand County