A major effort to reduce wildlife‑vehicle collisions in Colorado has taken another step forward. Senate Bill 26‑141, which would create an optional $5 wildlife collision prevention fee at vehicle registration, has now cleared both the Senate and the House Finance Committee and is officially moving to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

The bill continues to hold strong bipartisan support as it progresses through the Legislature. Its core structure remains unchanged: beginning in fiscal year 2028–2029, the voluntary fee would be directed into a dedicated Collision Prevention Fund used to build wildlife overpasses, underpasses, fencing, and habitat‑connectivity projects across the state. Supporters note that these projects routinely reduce wildlife‑vehicle collisions by more than 80 percent when paired with fencing, saving lives and preventing millions of dollars in property damage each year.

The Colorado Wildlife Federation and other conservation groups have continued to testify in favor of the measure, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the more than 7,500 wildlife‑vehicle crashes reported annually in Colorado. With federal wildlife‑crossing grants becoming more competitive, lawmakers have highlighted the bill’s ability to provide reliable state matching funds for future projects.

SB26‑141 now awaits action in House Appropriations, where lawmakers will evaluate the fiscal components before the bill moves to the full House for debate.