SB22-151 Summary

• Creates the Colorado Wildlife Safe Passages Fund in the state treasury to fund wildlife crossing projects that reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions and provide safe passage for animals across highways.

• Transfers $5 million from the general fund to the new fund on September 1, 2022, with money continuously appropriated to the Department of Transportation for eligible projects.

• Eligible uses include feasibility studies, planning, construction, and maintenance of wildlife crossing infrastructure; roadkill tracking; animal detection systems; exclusionary fencing; and matching funds for federal grant programs.

• Department of Transportation must consult with the Division of Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado Wildlife and Transportation Alliance when distributing funds, prioritizing projects on the department's ten-year priority pipeline and the 2019 Western Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study.

• Department must report annually to the Governor's office, Department of Natural Resources, and other entities detailing all expenditures and projects funded in the prior fiscal year; effective date is subject to voter approval at the November 2022 general election.