In response to incidents of vehicle/animal collisions along the I-25 corridor in Douglas County, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the City of Castle Pines, the Town of Castle Rock and Douglas County are partnering to install 16 miles of wildlife fencing on the east and west side of I-25, from the Ridgegate exit (MM 192) in Lone Tree to the Meadows/Founders exit in Castle Rock (MM 184). CDOT will begin fence construction in February 2022 with the installation complete in approximately two to three months.
View proposed maps here. Please note, on the maps that Alt. B was chosen as the alignment along I25 instead of along Havana. Alt B allows us to avoid a costly and potentially unsafe deer guard on Havana.
This fall during the October to November migratory period, drivers are encouraged to take extra caution as they travel through the corridor. Electronic variable message boards along the route will inform drivers of the potential danger. Drivers should stay alert and slow down, particularly at dawn and dusk when wildlife is more active. If drivers do see wildlife in the roadway, they should not swerve as they are more likely to wreck when trying to avoid an animal. It is best to slow down if possible and look for other wildlife as most travel in groups.
Colorado is among the top states in the nation protecting wildlife migration corridors. The wildlife mitigation system installed along Highway 9 between Silverthorne and Kremmling CO saw wildlife/vehicle collisions decrease by more than 90%. This shows promise that similar types of collisions will also decrease in the Castle Pines and Castle Rock area.
Timeline
- June 2021 – Reevaluation of Wildlife Mitigation Along I-25 in Castle Pines Area
A series of meetings between City of Castle Pines, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Douglas County Government and the Town of Castle Rock were staff reviewed collision data, migration patterns, community development, solution options and the associated costs. Scope of project was expanded north and south of Castle Pines. - Mid-June 2021 – Recommendation to CDOT
As a result of these meetings, the group presented a recommendation to CDOT for the installation of wildlife exclusion fencing in the defined. - End of July 2021 – CDOT Approved Project
CDOT approved the I-25 wildlife exclusion fence project. - August 2021 to November 2021 – Proposed Fencing Alignments
After performing field reviews to determine the location the fence layout was drafted (subject to change). There is currently fencing near Ridgegate which funnels wildlife under I-25 at Happy Canyon Creek. According to CPW and CDOT, wildlife will typically spend time in the high, grassy areas both north and south of Happy Canyon and into the Surrey Ridge area near Castle Pines. Thus, the risk of wildlife moving down to cross near the Outlets at Castle Rock or north of Ridgegate is low. - February 2022 – Construction begins
CDOT will begin fence construction with the installation complete in approximately two to three months.
Photo credit: Douglas County
