Golden Hour: 3,811 crashes

3,811. That is the number of wildlife-related crashes the Colorado State Patrol responded to across the state last year. The data points to a recurring danger that sharpens every autumn as animals descend from the mountains.

This Sunday, as daylight saving time ends, the sun will set earlier. Colorado Parks and Wildlife notes that this shift in light coincides with peak traffic hours. Animals are currently moving to lower elevations for the winter, a migration that places them on roadways during the busiest morning and evening commutes.

Bridget O’Rourke, the statewide public information officer for the agency, explained that wildlife travel along roads primarily to find food, water, or shelter. They are fleeing the colder temperatures at higher elevations. O’Rourke stated, “Wildlife travel along roads for a variety of reasons, but mainly they’re looking for food, water or shelter. They’re trying to get away from the colder temperatures at higher elevations.”

The agency is currently tracking a record high number of bear incidents and activity across Colorado. O’Rourke said bears are walking along roads during dawn and dusk to fatten up before winter. “So it’s safe to say that Coloradans will see more bears along our roadways this year,” O’Rourke said.

Officials recommend that drivers slow down in designated wildlife crossing areas. They advise scanning roadides for movement and allowing animals time to cross. O’Rourke emphasized that safety must be the priority for drivers, other motorists, and the animals. “If you see one animal, you’re likely to see more along the roadway,” she said. Drivers should exercise patience and let animals complete their crossing.

If a collision occurs, the agency instructs drivers to contact the Colorado State Patrol for assistance. The state continues to build wildlife crossings, overpasses, and underpasses to aid migration. O’Rourke noted that Colorado is a leader in designing roads that account for these patterns. In January 2027, an optional $5 fee on vehicle registrations will allow residents to contribute directly to these crossing projects.