HB25_1303 Press Release

[DENVER, March 20, 2025] – Colorado lawmakers Representatives Andy Boesenecker and Meghan Lukens and Senators Faith Winter and Dylan Roberts today introduced the Funding for Motor Vehicle Collision Prevention  (HB25_1303), a crucial measure that aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in addition to crashes with vulnerable road users like bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Equipping our highways with more wildlife crossings and fencing isn’t just about protecting animals, it’s about saving humans’ lives,” said Senator Dylan Roberts (D-Frisco). “Successful wildlife crossing infrastructure can reduce wildlife collisions by over 90%, which keeps Coloradans safe and reduces insurance premiums because of the fewer claims that will need to be made to insurance. This is a win-win-win for drivers, wildlife, and saving money on insurance costs.” 

Vehicle collisions with wildlife, bicyclists, and pedestrians are a significant concern in Colorado, costing lives, damaging property, and placing financial burdens on families. Between 2014 and 2024, pedestrian fatalities increased by 73 percent. During this ten-year period, 1,131 bicyclists and pedestrians lost their lives on Colorado’s roads. In 2023 alone, 156 bicyclists and pedestrians lost their lives – a record high in Colorado and up from 64 fatalities in 2013. 

“In Colorado, we need to do everything we can to reduce incidents between cars, bicyclists and pedestrians. This bill will provide us the resources in order to protect everyone on the road,” added Senator Faith Winter (D-Broomfield). 

The total estimated annual cost of wildlife-vehicle collisions in the state is $313 million, with the average cost of hitting a deer exceeding $17,000. These incidents also contribute to the loss of valuable wildlife populations, impacting the health of the state’s herds – and therefore the quality of our hunting seasons – and the state’s $62.5 billion outdoor recreation economy.

Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker (D-Fort Collins), added, “From winter blizzards and wildlife that darts in front of cars to unprotected bike lanes and non-existent sidewalks, there are many threats to the safety of Colorado road users. Between vehicle repair, health care and insurance premiums, these accidents can add costs that Coloradans can’t afford to take on. Our goal with this legislation is to make our roads a safer place for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and wildlife and save Coloradans money on insurance.” 

State transportation officials have identified a lack of funding as the primary barrier to building wildlife crossing structures and safer transportation infrastructure for drivers and other road users. The proposed Enterprise will address this by providing consistent funding to support proven solutions that reduce crashes and save lives. For instance, wildlife crossing structures – such as overpasses or underpasses that allow animals to safely cross roads – have proven to yield a high return on investment by significantly reducing collision rates.  A series of wildlife crossings on State Highway 9 reduced crashes with wildlife by 92% and carcasses by 90%. 

“Road accidents involving deer, bears, and other wildlife are very common in my district, and they are both costly and dangerous to road users and Colorado’s wildlife. There were nearly 7,500 reported incidents of lethal animal crashes on Colorado roads last year, which has had a significant impact on Coloradans’ wallets and the health of our ecosystems. This legislation is necessary so we can fix our roads and implement evidence-based safety measures, like wildlife crossings, that will keep Coloradans and wildlife safe,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, (D-Steamboat Springs).

Experts agree that changing the built environment to prioritize safety is one of the most effective ways to reduce traffic fatalities. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration cites infrastructure such as raised medians and pedestrian refuge areas as an effective strategy to mitigate or prevent crashes. 

Governor Jared Polis said, “Reducing car insurance rates is part of our work to save people money, and more safety improvements will lead to less claims and lower rates. Creating safer infrastructure for all Coloradans, including pedestrians, cyclists, cars and wildlife is important to reduce the risk of collisions. Supporting initiatives that protect road users and animals alike decreases road vulnerabilities and will help reduce insurance rates.”

In addition to saving lives, these projects will reduce insurance claims, lower car insurance rates, and minimize costly road closures. According to CDOT, every hour the I-70 mountain corridor is closed costs the surrounding communities up to $2 million in lost economic activity.The bill proposes the creation of a Crash Prevention Enterprise within the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to provide dedicated funding for transportation infrastructure improvements that will help prevent life-altering collisions, and save lives and money.

Ribbon cutting ceremony for a wildlife overpass on Highway 160 installed in southwest Colorado in 2022. Credit: CDOT

Community Support for the Crash Prevention Enterprise 

Local Elected Officials
“This bill is an important step forward in protecting vulnerable road users. In my community of Fort Collins, bicyclists and pedestrians disproportionately accounted for 30% of all serious injuries and fatalities on our roads in 2023. I have witnessed firsthand the heartbreak and devastation families endure—my neighbor and friend, 82-year-old John Lambert, was struck and killed by a vehicle this past summer. The Crash Prevention Enterprise will help ensure that fewer Colorado families suffer this level of tragedy. Thank you to the bill’s sponsors for championing this legislation.”
– Fort Collins City Council, Tricia Canonico

“In the past few years, dozens of cyclists and pedestrians in Larimer County have been killed or seriously injured by cars, and especially high profile SUVs. In one of the most tragic accidents, 10-year-old Oliver Stratton, who was riding his bicycle in the small town of Timnath, was struck and killed by a distracted driver in an SUV. We must protect our vulnerable road users by building better bike and pedestrian infrastructure.”
– Larimer County Commissioner, Kristin Stephens 

“When vehicles crash, people—especially the most vulnerable road users—are at risk of serious injury or death. Whether you are walking in a crosswalk, biking in a designated lane, or driving a car, we all share the responsibility to ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safely. Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable in collisions with vehicles, as they lack the protection that drivers have. Reducing crashes means fewer lives lost, fewer families impacted by the tragedy, and a stronger, safer community for everyone. That’s why we need to prioritize proven funding strategies to prevent crashes, improve infrastructure, and ensure that our roads are safe for all users.”
– Jefferson County Commissioner, Andy Kerr

“Thank you to the bill sponsors for introducing legislation that would protect our most vulnerable road users. In Routt County, we have reached the point where more than half of the documented crashes on Highway 40 between Craig and Steamboat Springs are attributable to wildlife. Including funding for wildlife crossings in the bill is a welcome step towards mitigating these needless and costly tragedies that affect human life and property.”
– Routt County Board of County Commissioners, Commissioner Sonja Macys

State-wide Elected Officials
“Reducing car insurance rates is part of our work to save people money, and more safety improvements will lead to less claims and lower rates. Creating safer infrastructure for all Coloradans, including pedestrians, cyclists, cars and wildlife is important to reduce the risk of collisions. Supporting initiatives that protect road users and animals alike decreases road vulnerabilities and will help reduce insurance rates.”
– Colorado Governor Jared Polis

“Equipping our highways with more wildlife crossings and fencing isn’t just about protecting animals, it’s about saving humans’ lives. Successful wildlife crossing infrastructure can reduce wildlife collisions by over 90%, which keeps Coloradans safe and reduces insurance premiums because of the fewer claims that will need to be made to insurance. This is a win-win-win for drivers, wildlife, and saving money on insurance costs.”
– State Senator Dylan Roberts (D-Frisco)

“In Colorado, we need to do everything we can to reduce incidents between cars, bicyclists and pedestrians. This bill will provide us with the resources in order to protect everyone on the road.”
– State Senator Faith Winter (D-Broomfield)

“From winter blizzards and wildlife that darts in front of cars to unprotected bike lanes and non-existent sidewalks, there are many threats to the safety of Colorado road users. Between vehicle repair, health care and insurance premiums, these accidents can add costs that Coloradans can’t afford to take on. Our goal with this legislation is to make our roads a safer place for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and wildlife and save Coloradans money on insurance.”
– Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker (D-Fort Collins)

“Road accidents involving deer, bears, and other wildlife are very common in my district, and they are both costly and dangerous to road users and Colorado’s wildlife. There were nearly 7,500 reported incidents of lethal animal crashes on Colorado roads last year, which has had a significant impact on Coloradans’ wallets and the health of our ecosystems. This legislation is necessary so we can fix our roads and implement evidence-based safety measures, like wildlife crossings, that will keep Coloradans and wildlife safe.”  
– Rep. Meghan Lukens, (D-Steamboat Springs)

Emergency Responders
“Investing in crash prevention projects isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. By dedicating state funding and securing matching federal grants, we can build safer roads for pedestrians, wildlife, and drivers alike. Colorado lawmakers have a choice: they can take decisive action to protect lives and preserve our state’s natural heritage, or they can allow these preventable tragedies to continue. The time to act is now.”
– Dr. Karen Ekernas, MD, MPH is an Emergency Physician in Denver

Transportation and Bicycle Organizations
“Coloradans want more transportation options beyond driving, but many won’t walk or bike if they don’t feel safe and protected from car traffic. This policy will make meaningful progress toward Colorado’s Vision Zero goals, saving lives and improving access to more affordable and sustainable transportation choices.”
– Matt Frommer, Transportation & Land Use Policy Manager, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

“I live in a rural area where most drivers have been involved in a collision involving big game – like deer, elk, and even bear. These incidents are frequently fatal for wildlife, but drivers are often injured and sometimes killed as well. Investing in infrastructure that prevents these crashes protects drivers and provides safe passage for the iconic wildlife species that make Colorado a special place to live. This is good public policy that ultimately saves lives and money.”
– Jon Holst, Senior Policy Advisor for Western Lands, Western Resource Advocates & Co-Chair, Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance

“AAA is proud of our 123-year history as the organization that popularized the automobile. But the future of getting around is evolving: It’s time to stand for dedicated infrastructure efforts like these in order to promote mobility freedom. No matter how Coloradans choose to get around, they deserve to do it safely – and this bill goes a long way in making that happen. AAA is thrilled to support it.”
– Skyler McKinley, Regional Director of Public Affairs, AAA

“We know quality bike and pedestrian infrastructure saves lives and gets more people out riding bikes, which is one reason why the demand for vulnerable road user infrastructure funding exceeds the supply. We applaud the bill sponsors for their work on this essential piece of legislation and look forward to it becoming law.”
– Pete Piccolo, Executive Director, Bicycle Colorado

“Every child deserves safe streets, whether they’re biking to school or just being kids. No family should face the heartbreak mine has. It’s time to take action and prevent these tragedies.”
– Clarissa Stratton, Ollie’s Bike Parade

Sportsmen Groups
“This bill is necessary to ensure we can fund maintenance of the successfully constructed wildlife highway crossing related investments when needed and to address additional priority crossings to protect motorists and migrating wildlife.”
– Suzanne O’Neill, Executive Director, Colorado Wildlife Federation 

Conservation Organizations
“This bill represents a major investment for improving safety for all road users. The insurance premiums we pay each month don’t actually reduce the chances of an accident, but with the addition of a small fee, this bill will help take a big step forward toward reducing the chance of deadly accidents for drivers, vulnerable road users, and wildlife.”
– Michael Dax, western program director,  Wildlands Network

“Summit County Safe Passages has been a grateful beneficiary of state and federal funding in recent years that has helped move our vision for wildlife crossings on I-70 at East Vail Pass closer to reality. We whole-heartedly support legislation to establish a Crash Prevention Enterprise that can keep fueling win-win infrastructure projects across Colorado to benefit the safety of wildlife, motorists and vulnerable road users.”
– Julia Kintsch, President, Summit CountySafe Passages

“The Crash Prevention Enterprise will provide reliable funding for efforts to reduce all-too-frequent road collisions with wildlife and vulnerable road users like pedestrians and recreationists. This legislation will make our roads safer for both rural and urban Coloradans, while also helping wildlife to migrate between connected habitats. In addition to life-changing injuries and fatalities, collisions with wildlife and pedestrians have a significant impact on individual and community finances, including medical bills, legal fees, and costs to the state’s booming outdoor recreation industry, all while driving up insurance rates for all Coloradans. These collisions also strain our state’s first responders and fire-rescue departments, putting responders at additional risk on the highway. Pew is thankful to the bill’s sponsors and hopeful that the Colorado Legislature passes this legislation to make the Centennial State’s roads safer for people and wildlife alike.”
– Patrick Lane, senior manager, U.S. conservation project, The Pew Charitable Trusts

“The Crash Prevention Enterprise established in this bill would make a dramatic difference for road safety and wildlife populations in Colorado. A dedicated, reliable source of funding is sorely needed for transportation projects that protect the traveling public and wildlife by reducing collisions on our streets and highways. This wise investment will save lives, eliminate the major costs associated with tragic transportation accidents, and reconnect habitats across the state.”
– Anna Wearn, Director of Government Affairs, Center for Large Landscape Conservation