By Tj Coleman
In December 2025 the Colorado Department of Transportation completed the construction of the largest wildlife overpass in North America. Construction began in January 2025 of The Greenland Wildlife Overpass across Interstate 25 and completed in December 2025 with a hefty price tag of $15 million dollars. Located between Larkspur and Monument in Douglas County, and it’s currently the largest wildlife overpass in North America. This bridge was built as part of the I-25 South Gap project to fix a long-standing problem: animals trying to cross busy highways and getting hit by cars.
Before the overpass was built, this part of I-25 had a lot of wildlife-vehicle crashes, sometimes about one per day during migration seasons. These crashes were dangerous for drivers and animals like elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. The overpass was designed to solve this issue by giving animals a safe way to cross the highway. It stretches over six lanes of traffic and is about 200 feet wide and 209 feet long. Even more importantly, it reconnects around 39,000 acres of land that had been split apart by the interstate.
Most interestingly, the overpass was designed to replicate the animal’s natural environment. Being covered with soil and native grass makes it feel like normal to the animals. The bridge is designed with gentle slopes, wide entrances, soil, and native grasses making the animals feel comfortable when crossing. An average male elk can weigh 710 to 730 pounds and the average speed of a vehicle traveling on the section of Interstate is 75 miles per hour making a deadly combination for motorist. Experts with Colorado’s Department of Transportation and from the Department of Wildlife predict the wildlife overpass will reduce wildlife vehicle crashes by 90%. Prior to building the overpass, safety experts reported one wildlife crash per day on this section of the interstate.
In addition to the safety value the overpass brings, there are benefits to the ecosystem. Interstates and highways divide wildlife habitats, making it extremely difficult for the animals to find food, shelter, and mates. The overpass reconnects these areas keeping the different species and wildlife populations healthy. Since being built the overpass has seen black bears, mountain lions, elk, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer. While The Greenland Wildlife Overpass cost a significant amount, it was a creative and effective way to have balance between modern humans and wildlife.
