Colorado State Patrol Warns November Is Peak Month for Wildlife Crashes, Names Top 10 Counties

Description: Colorado State Patrol warns November is the peak month for wildlife crashes, with 608 incidents investigated in 2025. See the top 10 counties and safety tips. Read the full Press release from Colorado State Patrol Public Affairs Office...

November is the Peak Month for Wildlife Crashes in Colorado

Colorado State Patrol shares the top 10 counties

(Colorado)—As migration and rutting season continues, Colorado drivers are advised to use caution and actively scan the roadways for wildlife. Dawn and dusk remain the top times of day, but wildlife crashes can happen at any time. October through December are the highest months for wildlife crashes in our state, according to Colorado State Patrol investigation data, and November is the peak month. In 2025, troopers investigated 608 wildlife-involved crashes.

“Animals are active 24 hours a day, and all year round, but drivers may see a noted increase right before sunrise and then again at dusk,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Wildlife like dawn and dusk due to the dim light for hiding and cooler temperatures while moving around. Unfortunately, reduced visibility leads to more crashes.”

When looking at the past five years of Colorado State Patrol data (2021-2025), the top counties for wildlife crashes from highest to lowest investigated by the Patrol were:

1. La Plata
2. El Paso
3. Montezuma
4. Pueblo
5. Chaffee
6. Garfield
7. Archuleta
8. Park
9. Moffat
10. Douglas

“Driving the posted limit and repeatedly scanning roadways is your best strategy to avoid wildlife,” explained Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “You need to give yourself time to brake if no one is immediately behind you. Speeding or driving distracted takes away any opportunity to avoid the crash.”

Tips for Avoiding a Wildlife Crash

• Don’t exceed the speed limit.
• Scan roads (or shoulders) for movement and eye shine.
• Use bright lights at night when safe.
• If you have time and space behind you, stop for wildlife on the road/use hazard lights.
• Be aware of groups: remember that if you see one animal, there may be others nearby.

If you encounter an animal and do not have time to safely brake in a straight line, the right choice is to drive through, keeping in your lane. If you are traveling in an outside lane with the white stripe to your right or a single lane, angle slightly to hit the butt of the animal. Never swerve or jerk your vehicle’s wheel.

If you are involved in a crash with an animal, call 9-1-1 just as you would in any other emergency. In addition, if you witness wildlife in distress from possibly being struck on or near the side of the road, call *CSP for the proper resource to be notified and sent to the scene.

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