What Happens if You Hit a Deer with Your Car in Colorado?

If you've lived in Colorado for long enough, there's a good chance you've either had a close call with wildlife on the road, or you've actually accidentally hit an animal. Running into an animal, especially a deer or elk, can be very scary, and very dangerous, but what should you do if you find yourself in this unfortunate circumstance?

How Likely is it that You’ll Hit a Deer in Colorado?

It may come as a surprise to find out that the state of Colorado ranks below the national average as far as deer collisions go. The odds of hitting a deer anywhere in the United States is 1 in 116 whereas the chance of doing so specifically in Colorado is 1 in 209.

However, that certainly doesn't mean that you don't have to worry about it and Coloradans are most likely to run across deer in the road during the fall months and at night.

What Should You Do if You Hit a Deer in Colorado?

If you do find yourself in this predicament, it's recommended that you report the accident to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department as well as the police. This should be done within 48 hours of the accident, followed by an assessment of the damage to your vehicle and a call to your insurance company.

It's not recommended that you approach the animal or assume that your vehicle is safe to drive.

Interestingly, there is a permit that you can obtain from Colorado Parks and Wildlife called the Special Wildlife License which actually allows you to collect roadkill, but it's certainly not the safest idea.