Now that Colorado’s largest wildlife overpass is open, how well is it working? We asked an animal movement expert

By In The NoCo,

Brad Turner, Erin O'Toole

Published October 22, 2026 at 5:35 AM MDT

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a moose crosses over Colorado state highway 9 on a wildlife overpass

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A moose uses a wildlife overpass to cross over Colorado SH-9

Josh Richert / Blue Valley Ranch

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An aerial view of the overpass on Highway 160 near Chimney Rock

Jerry Neal / Colorado Parks and Wildlife

three deer about to cross over a highway using a wildlife overpass

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Josh Richert / Blue Valley Ranch

animals use a snow-covered wildlife overpass at dusk in Colorado

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Animals using the SH-9 north wildlife overpass

CDOT, CPW and Eco-Resolutions

Two vehicles pass under a wildlife crossing, with mountains in the background

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Jerry Neal / Colorado Parks and Wildlife

It’s an ambitious — and expensive — project to reduce collisions between motorists and wildlife on one of Colorado’s busiest highways.

The state’s newest wildlife overpass stretches 200 feet across Interstate 25 near Castle Rock. The project funnels elk, deer, coyotes and other critters over the highway. It cost $15 dollars, according to our partners at The Colorado Sun. It opened 10 months ago.

And if you ask transportation and wildlife officials, it's working.

So, what makes a wildlife overpass a success? Michelle Cowardin is a wildlife movement coordinator with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. She’s worked on several wildlife overpasses. Host Erin O'Toole spoke with her to get an expert’s report card on the I-25 overpass.