Senate adopts optional $5 vehicle-registration fee to fund wildlife crossings

The Colorado Senate adopted Senate Bill 141 on April 10, 2026, authorizing an optional $5 fee at motor-vehicle registration to support wildlife crossing infrastructure and other transportation improvements.

Senator Roberts, sponsor of the bill, described it as “a bill about funding critical infrastructure ... wildlife crossing infrastructure,” and said the measure would allow drivers to opt in to a $5 contribution to help build overpasses, underpasses and game fencing. Roberts highlighted a federal matching opportunity that could provide up to $4 for every state dollar invested.

Supporters across the floor said the combination of voluntary contributions and federal match could accelerate construction of crossings and reduce vehicle-animal collisions. “I ordinarily am not such a huge fan of things like this, but ... the federal match that's available is very compelling,” said Senator Frizzell, endorsing the approach and urging an aye vote.

Senator Kirkmeyer explained her no vote, arguing the Department of Transportation already has a bridge enterprise fund and that the wildlife cash fund has growing revenues (including a recently imposed oil-and-gas fee). “There are a lot of funds that go into the wildlife cash fund that could be used for this purpose,” she said, and questioned adding another fee when other balances exist.

Senators in favor said the opt-in design preserves choice for drivers and leverages additional federal resources; opponents said the state should use existing cash-fund balances and prioritize projects from current departmental lists.

The bill was adopted by the Senate and ordered for final passage.