Colorado Parks and Wildlife advises all hunters planning to travel on State Highway 9 this fall that now is the time to plan an alternate route, anticipate extended delays and get alternate route information because of a major road construction project.
State Highway 9 is one of the main routes from Interstate 70 to prime hunting areas in Colorado's northwest region. It is undergoing an extensive two-year improvement project from mile marker 126 at the north edge of Summit County to mile marker 137, south of Kremmling.
Over the last 20 years, Highway 9 between Silverthorne and Kremmling has seen significant increase in traffic, approximately 600 motor vehicle accidents, and more than dozen human fatalities and 200 injuries. Because portions of the highway intersect a main migration route, there have been at least 600 incidents of wildlife killed by vehicle collisions, primarily mule deer, in the last decade.
The road project will feature wider lanes, improved sightlines and seven wildlife crossings, including two overpasses, the first of the kind in Colorado. Construction will not occur during the winter season, according to CDOT.
"There are several options to get information and we strongly advise hunters do that now, and then check again when it gets closer to hunting season," said Lyle Sidener, Area Wildlife Manager of Hot Sulphur Springs. "Construction is very heavy, and traffic will be slow on Highway 9 for the duration of the project, but hunters should be able to access the units they are heading to."
For more information about the project, including construction dates and alternate routes, hunters can visit www.codot.gov/projects/sh9wildlife.
Hunters can also call the project hotline at (970)724-4724, or the area office in Hot Sulphur Springs at (970)725-6200, Send email requests for information to SH9Kremmling@publicinfoteam.com.
Colorado's hunting seasons begin with archery and muzzleloader in late August through September, followed by the main rifle seasons in October through November, with a few late seasons in December.
For more information about hunting in Colorado, click here.