Conducted in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Transportation, Western Transportation Institute, Colorado Watershed Assembly and the Center for Native Ecosystems, this project applies and ecosystem-based approach to capacity improvements along the I-70 Mountain Corridor. Implementing the Federal Highway Administration’s Eco-Logical approach, we are identifying connectivity zones for both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, assessing existing structures and barriers to connectivity, and monitoring wildlife activity at existing and potential crossing locations. The project will result in specific mitigation recommendations to improve permeability for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife as a part of the I-70 reconstruction project from Evergreen to Glenwood Springs; a list of early-action conservation measures; and performance measures for evaluating the effectiveness of implemented conservation measures.
ECO-resolutions, LLC has been contracted to coordinate and implement the project, and is overseeing all research, site inventories, wildlife monitoring, data analysis, mitigation recommendations, and stakeholder involvement.
Project Timeframe: 2009 – 2011

This project will result in the permanent closure of ineffective one-way deer gates and the construction of eight escape ramps designed to allow deer and elk to escape a fenced-in highway right-of-way and reduce animal-vehicle collisions along eight miles of Highway 550 in western Colorado. This section of roadway is a recognized hotspot for animal-vehicle collisions and bisects an important wildlife corridor and deer and elk winter range in the Uncompahgre Valley. This project is being conducted in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Transportation, Ouray County, the Town of Ridgway, Ridgway State Park, and the San Juan Corridors Coalition, and is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to stimulate local job growth and create safe roadways.
Project Timeframe: 2009 - 2010

For each of twelve high-priority wildlife linkages identified in the Colorado statewide connectivity assessment, Linking Colorado’s Landscapes, we conducted an extensive assessment of the roadway situation relative to the adjacent habitat, including an inventory of existing structures and their permeability for wildlife. These data were then overlaid with other layers of information such as land ownership and management adjacent to the highway, traffic densities, wildlife movement patterns, and zoning. The final project resulted in the development of specific recommendations to CDOT including overpasses, underpasses, retrofitting opportunities, fencing and other non-structural mitigation techniques. As the second phase of Linking Colorado’s Landscapes, this project was designated a 2006 FHWA Exemplary Ecosystem Initiative .
Project Timeline: 2005 – 2006

Initiated by the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project, we designed and implemented a program to monitor wildlife activity adjacent to I-70 along a stretch that has been identified as a major barrier to wildlife. This project had the dual purpose of collecting baseline wildlife data by means of snow tracking and 49 motion-triggered cameras at existing bridges and potential crossing locations, together with building support of local communities by engaging local volunteers in the data collection. The project was conducted collaboratively with the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project, the Denver Zoo, and the Gore Range Natural Science School. To view monitoring photos click here.
Project Timeframe: 2005 – 2008