State-by-state connectivity policy guide: Colorado

This digest is the first in a series of posts highlighting states that are leading the way in corridor and connectivity policies.

States that have connectivity policies enacted or introduced. More information can be found in the Corridor Policy Library. Credit: Center for Large Landscape Conservation. (Click to enlarge)

Colorado residents and over 80 million visitors annually are drawn to the state’s scenic opportunities and abundant wildlife. As the population of Colorado grows rapidly, the accompanying development puts great pressure on the healthy wildlife populations of the state. Scientists, managers, and numerous stakeholders concerned with the effects of this growth on wildlife have long been pushing for the protection of wildlife habitat, including key movement corridors. Keenly aware of public support for protecting wildlife corridors, lawmakers in Colorado have been on the leading edge of developing connectivity related policies at the state level.

The following policies have set in motion a series of projects intended to maintain or improve the ability of migratory species to move freely throughout the state. The goal is for wildlife to safely cross the network of roads throughout their ranges through a series of overpasses, underpasses, and fencing installations. Currently, there are 16 underpass and 3 overpass structures built or planned across 5 significant project areas. These structures, coupled with road signs, widened lanes and shoulders, and maintenance of tight curves in the road, not only allow wildlife to move more safely between habitat patches but also increase safety for drivers.

Policy Actions

2017 – 2018

• A pair of secretarial orders issued by the U.S. Department of Interior directed federal land managers to work with states to protect big game species and their habitat within the region.
  • ORDER NO. 3356: Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States, Tribes, and Territories
  • ORDER NO. 3362: Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors

2019

• Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed Executive Order D-2019-011: Conserving Colorado’s Big Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors.
• The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted a resolution reaffirming the Governor’s Executive Order and supporting the federal funding opportunity.
• Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the Colorado Department of Transportation signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on mitigation of wildlife-vehicle collisions, identification of priority big game highway crossings in the state, and participation in and support of the multi-stakeholder Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance.
• The Colorado legislature showed support in advancing wildlife corridor conservation and habitat connectivity with the development of the bipartisan Senate Joint Resolution 21-021 that unanimously passed through both chambers of the Legislature and was enacted in June.

2020

• Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Oder D-2019-011, Colorado Parks & Wildlife completed the Big Game Winter Range and Migration Corridor Status Report that addressed current population status, highlighted known threats to seasonal big game habitat and migration corridors, and identified data and information gaps.

2021

• Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Oder D-2019-011, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources produced a Big Game Policy Report identifying potential policy, regulatory, and legislative opportunities to ensure the ongoing conservation of seasonal big game habitat and migration corridors.

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