Roadkill is a common sight on U.S. Highway 160. Each dead mammal also could total a vehicle or cost a driver\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
The Colorado Department of Transportation and with Colorado Parks and Wildlife are seeking federal funds to make U.S. Highway 160 safer from accidents caused by animal crossings. To lend a helping hand, Cortez City Council approved a letter of support in aid to CDOT\u2019s request.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know how dangerous wildlife is, especially in early morning or late evening hours along Highway 160,\u201d said City Manager Drew Sanders.<\/p>\n
With money from the grant, offered by the Federal Highway Administration, CDOT could build an overpass that would allow wildlife to safely cross the road, Sanders said.<\/p>\n
City officials did not say where exactly along U.S. Highway 160 the wildlife crossings might be built and could not be reached for comment, but the grant was earmarked for a \u201cHighway 160 Mesa Verde Wildlife Connectivity Project,\u201d according to Sanders.<\/p>\n
According to a 2019 study<\/a>, six miles of U.S. Highway 160 north of Mesa Verde National Park were in the highest 20% of Colorado\u2019s Western Slope roads with an urgent need to lower accidents caused by wildlife collisions.<\/p>\n In 2024, more than 3,500 crashes in Colorado were caused by wildlife, according to Colorado State Patrol<\/a>. Most crashes resulted in the animal dying.<\/p>\n