Senate approves optional $5 vehicle-fee to fund wildlife crossings

The Senate on April 10 approved Senate Bill 141, which would allow vehicle owners to opt in to a $5 annual fee at registration to fund wildlife crossings such as overpasses, underpasses and game fencing.

The bill, as read into the record, lists Senators Roberts and Simpson and Representatives McCluskey and Taggart as sponsors and directs proceeds to construct wildlife crossings and related transportation improvements. The sponsor told colleagues the measure taps an existing federal matching opportunity “where the federal government has the opportunity to send us up to $4 for every dollar that we invest on a state basis.”

Why it matters: Proponents said the crossings save human and animal lives and lower long‑term costs for drivers and insurers by reducing collisions. The sponsor said such infrastructure has been “proven to reduce vehicle, animal collisions by over 90%,” and described the fee as an optional, choice-based way to build a dedicated funding stream that can be leveraged against federal funds.

Floor debate focused on funding priorities. Supporters said the optional fee gives Coloradans a direct way to invest in safety and leverages federal matching funds. One senator recounted constituent testimony after a fatal elk collision on Highway 86 as a reason to act. A senator urging a no vote argued that departments already have relevant cash funds—a bridge enterprise fund and a wildlife cash fund—and that new revenues and existing balances should be prioritized before adding a fee.

The outcome: After floor debate, Senate Bill 141 was adopted by the Senate.

What’s next: The bill was ordered and engrossed for further reading in accordance with the Senate’s calendar process.