Autumn marks a sharp uptick in vehicle collisions involving wildlife across Colorado, and state authorities want drivers to treat the next three months with particular caution. The October-through-December window is identified by the Colorado State Patrol as the most hazardous stretch of the year for such incidents. The seasonal spike is tied to wildlife descending to lower elevations ahead of winter, a migration pattern that pushes animals across active roadways.
The scale of the problem has grown steadily in recent years. Crash reports involving animals approached 4,000 statewide in a single recent year, a count that has climbed annually since 2021. The CSP chief noted that autumn months consistently account for the busiest period in that tally.
The danger is compounded by animal behavior specific to the fall. CSP explained in a news release that this period overlaps with peak mating season for numerous species, leaving animals restless, less focused on their surroundings, and prone to crossing roads. The patrol noted that while ungulates such as white-tailed deer and elk appear most frequently in crash reports, species ranging from pronghorn and bear to marmots create hazards in virtually every part of the state.
CSP data identify several corridors where collisions are most concentrated. Among the flagged stretches are Highway 160 linking Durango with Pagosa Springs and Mancos; Highway 50 running from Pueblo to the eastern state line and through the Gunnison area; Interstate 70 near Floyd Hill, Mt. Vernon Canyon, and Eagle; Interstate 25 from Castle Rock to Larkspur; US 285 near Morrison; Highway 40 between Craig and Steamboat Springs as well as near Tabernash and Berthoud Pass; Highway 24 from Riverside to Buena Vista; and Highway 550 both north of Durango and along the Montrose-to-Ouray stretch.
Troopers offered a set of practical steps drivers can take to reduce their risk. Staying at or below posted speed limits, watching road edges for movement or reflected eye shine, and running high beams wherever conditions permit are among the recommended habits. Drivers are also reminded that animals rarely travel alone — a single animal near the road is often a sign that more are nearby.
For situations where a collision appears unavoidable, CSP offered specific guidance. If stopping safely is not an option, troopers advise holding the current lane and driving through rather than attempting to avoid the animal; on an outside or single lane, a slight angle aimed at the rear of the animal is preferable, and jerking or swerving the wheel is discouraged under any circumstances. After any collision involving an animal, drivers should contact 9-1-1, and those who notice injured wildlife alongside the road are asked to dial *CSP so the appropriate agency can respond.
Whether this season's final crash count will extend the upward trend recorded since 2021 will not be known until CSP releases end-of-year data.