Wild Aware

Wild Aware was founded in 2019 to identify methods to mitigate high rates of wildlife-vehicle collisions on Highway 74 in Evergreen, CO. This collaboration with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has resulted in the temporary placement of programmable signs for periods of time in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Permanent signs may be placed on Highway 74 in 2023. 

In 2023, the goal of Road Aware is to expand our reach into the many Jefferson County highways in our area, including but not limited to Highway 73, Brookforest Road, and Buffalo Park Road. We continue to search for the most effective ways to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. 

We have organized teams to manage our community outreach, education opportunities, marketing, events, and more and we have created colorful yard signs for our community per Jeffco guidelines to remind people to watch for wildlife, especially during critical periods (spring calving season and fall rutting season).

The recent formation of the Wild Aware Bear Book Club aims to educate our bear-loving community about these amazing furry and highly intelligent neighbors of ours and how to protect them.  

On average, one ungulate (hooved animals like our deer, elk, moose, and antelope) is found tangled or dead in every 2.5 miles of fencing, 90% being fawns (Harrington and Conover, 2006). Wild Aware volunteers have removed thousands of miles of disused barbed wire fencing in Dedisse Park, Evergreen, and in O'Fallon Park in Kittredge. This disused barbed wire inhibits the natural movements of wildlife and endangers many animals' lives. We are streamlining the procedure for aiding private property owners in the replacement or removal of barbed wire on their property.