Rocky Mountains – As winter conditions intensify across the Rocky Mountains and daylight hours remain among the shortest of the year, drivers across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho are being warned about a regional danger that spikes sharply this time of year: wildlife collisions after dark.
According to wildlife and transportation agencies across the region, winter forces animals to migrate from higher elevations into valleys and foothills, bringing them closer to roads and highways—often during evening and early morning hours when visibility is lowest. Shorter days mean more drivers are traveling in darkness just as wildlife movement increases.
Large animals pose the greatest risk across the Rockies. Mule deer and white-tailed deer are common throughout the region, while elk and moose are major concerns in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and parts of Colorado and Utah. As snowpack deepens and food becomes scarce, animals frequently travel along plowed road corridors, river valleys, and mountain passes, placing them directly in vehicle travel paths.
Wildlife biologists note that winter migration and feeding pressure cause animals to move earlier in the evening and later in the morning, overlapping with commute times and long-distance travel. Collisions involving elk or moose are especially dangerous due to the animals’ size and height, often resulting in severe vehicle damage and serious injuries.
Transportation officials across the Rockies urge drivers to reduce speed in areas marked with wildlife crossing signs and remain especially alert between sunset and sunrise. High beams should be used whenever possible, but drivers are cautioned not to swerve suddenly to avoid animals, as icy roads, steep grades, and narrow mountain corridors can lead to rollovers or secondary crashes.
Drivers are also encouraged to scan roadsides carefully near foothills, open rangeland, forest edges, canyon mouths, and less-developed mountain highways. Officials stress that wildlife often travels in groups, meaning if one animal crosses the road, others may follow moments later.
As winter continues across the Rocky Mountain region, officials say wildlife-related crashes will remain a serious and persistent hazard. Drivers are urged to use extra caution during evening and early morning travel, when animal movement is at its peak.
