Louis and I went on a very interesting field trip today up on Vail Pass. It was led by a consortium of people known as Summit County Safe Passages. Staff from USFS, CDOT, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, A-Basin, Summit County, Eagle County, Denver Zoo and Rocky Mountain Wild attended. The group's mission is "Making Summit County Roads Safer for Wildlife and People."
Much like was done to Highway 9 north of Silverthorne, this group is looking for ways, like wildlife underpasses and overpasses, to reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions and improve wildlife habitat and connectivity. Both sides of the I-70 are rich with just about every kind of wildlife (elk, deer, moose, mountain lions, black bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, etc.) found in the Colorado mountains.
The project is currently in its early design phase. It will likely take several years to fully complete the design, secure the funding and build the structures. Locally, we will be hearing more and more about Safe Passages in the coming weeks, months and years.
To learn more about the organization and to learn how to help and support Summit County Safe Passages go to:
