Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order Wednesday to amp up Colorado’s efforts to protect migrating wildlife and people from hazardous encounters.

The order calls on state agencies to identify wildlife migration patterns and respond with policies and legislation that could separate animals from people and traffic.

In the four-page order, Polis directs:

• The Colorado Department of Natural Resources to compile a report on big-game migration patterns and provide it to Polis by April 1.
• DNR to “identify policy, regulatory and legislative opportunities to ensure ongoing conservation of seasonal big game habitat and migration corridors based on the latest available scientific data.”
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife to include migration corridors in its public education and outreach.
• The Colorado Department of Transportation to “incorporate ongoing consideration of big game migration into all levels of its planning” to reduce  collisions.

Read the full executive order by clicking here.

The governor’s office said in a press release that wildlife and vehicles collide almost 4,000 times a year in Colorado, leaving about $80 million in damage.

That doesn’t take into account the value of the animal and the population of its species, the governor’s office said.

“Colorado’s natural beauty and wildlife are part of why so many people love our great state,” Polis said in a statement. “This is a step toward better understanding and protecting the migratory patterns of Colorado’s wildlife populations and ensuring we can preserve our treasured animals and their habitats.”

A handful of conservation groups provided statements in support of the executive order Wednesday.

Kelly Nordini, executive director of Conservation Colorado: “The health of our wild spaces and wildlife are a measure of the health of our state. Governor Polis campaigned on a pledge to ‘keep Colorado wild.’ Today’s executive order is a first step in delivering on that promise to ensure that Colorado remains wild for future generations.”

Rachael Hamby, a Western lands policy analyst for Boulder-based Western Resource Advocates:  “Colorado’s wildlife are a key part of our state’s heritage and our outdoor way of life. This executive order will help Colorado balance our state’s rapid growth with the increasing need to safeguard our wildlife by helping to keep their habitats and corridors protected and connected. We applaud Governor Polis for taking action and look forward to continued partnership to enact this measure.”

Nada Culver, vice president for public lands for the National Audubon Society: “These wild places are vital for birds to thrive, taking cover in the winter and stopping over as they migrate. The protections that Governor Polis has set in motion through this Order will benefit many species and set important standards throughout the state.”

Jim Alexee, director of the Colorado chapter of the Sierra Club: “The Colorado Sierra Club applauds the Governor for taking bold action to protect wildlife and our Colorado heritage. Thanks to Governor Polis, Colorado is taking key steps to better understand and protect the historical migration pathways of the animals.”

Sherry Schenk, Public Lands Committee member of the Western Colorado Alliance: “We humans share this beautiful state with the wildlife, plants, insects, and birds that are part of nature. The efforts of Governor Polis to protect the wildlife and their habitats through the designation and maintenance of wildlife corridors will enhance the quality of life for us all. These corridors will ensure that future generations will experience the rich diversity of animal life that we do.”

Mark Pearson, executive director of the San Juan Citizens Alliance: “Colorado’s leadership in advocating for protection of wildlife corridors is more important than ever before. In southwest Colorado, the most critical wildlife corridor for lynx in the state is at risk from a massive real estate development atop Wolf Creek Pass. We look forward to working with state agencies to make the governor’s vision a reality.”