Colorado advocates link time change to spike in wildlife vehicle crashes
Officials say shifting evening commutes into darker hours increases collisions with deer and elk across the state.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
The return to standard time this weekend pushes evening traffic into the hours after sunset, a shift that conservation groups say reliably triggers a rise in vehicle wildlife collisions in Colorado.
Danny Katz, executive director of the Colorado Public Interest Research Group, argues that animals do not adjust their behavior to match the new clock. He stated, “They don't have watches, so they don't realize that there's this thing called a time change.” Katz noted that the sudden alignment of driving habits with dusk and dark periods creates a predictable surge in accidents every year.
The state is currently in peak wildlife season, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Data shows that recorded collisions with animals have increased since 2021. Deer and elk remain the most frequently struck species, often crossing highways to reach food, water, or shelter.
Katz points to wildlife bridges as an effective mitigation strategy. Since the construction of a bridge along I-70 in Genesee in 2024, wildlife crashes in that specific stretch dropped by 80%. He described these crossings as essential because many roads carve directly through animal habitats.
Drivers are advised by AAA to use high beams on long, dark roads where no other vehicles are present. If an animal enters the roadway, the organization recommends braking firmly rather than swerving to avoid the animal.
