Colorado: Who to call by state

In Colorado, dead animals on state highways are handled through CDOT’s highway-maintenance/customer-service system, while local roads are usually handled by the county or city that owns the road. Colorado Parks and Wildlife also controls road-killed wildlife possession and is the main reporting contact for sick wildlife and notable wild-bird die-offs. ([codot.gov](https://www.codot.gov/topcontent/contact-cdot))

Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Official resources in Colorado

CDOT Contact / Highway Maintenance

Use this CDOT page to create a case for a highway-related problem on Colorado state highways; after-hours incidents should go to local law enforcement. ([codot.gov](https://www.codot.gov/topcontent/contact-cdot))

CDOT Customer Portal case form

Direct online case form linked by CDOT for highway maintenance concerns on state roads. ([codot.gov](https://www.codot.gov/topcontent/contact-cdot))

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Contact Us

Use the nearest CPW regional or area office to report injured, problem, or sick wildlife. ([cpw.state.co.us](https://cpw.state.co.us/contact-us))

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Disease Exposure

CPW’s wildlife-disease page explains what to avoid handling and when to report dead or sick wildlife. ([cpw.state.co.us](https://cpw.state.co.us/disease-exposure))

Colorado Department of Agriculture HPAI in Wild Birds

State guidance for dead wild birds, including when to notify a local CPW office. ([ag.test.colorado.gov](https://ag.test.colorado.gov/animal-health/reportable-diseases/avian-influenza/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai-outbreak))

Key facts for Colorado

CDOT says highway-related problems on state highways can be submitted as a case through its contact page. ([codot.gov](https://www.codot.gov/topcontent/contact-cdot))
CDOT says after-hours highway incidents should be reported to local law enforcement, which can dispatch crews if needed. ([codot.gov](https://www.codot.gov/topcontent/contact-cdot))
Boulder County removes large deer-sized carcasses from county roads only when they create a traffic hazard. ([bouldercounty.gov](https://bouldercounty.gov/transportation/road-maintenance/dead-animal-removal/?utm_source=openai))
Boulder County says property owners are responsible for animal remains on private property. ([bouldercounty.gov](https://bouldercounty.gov/transportation/road-maintenance/dead-animal-removal/?utm_source=openai))
Colorado allows possession of edible portions of road-killed wildlife with CPW authorization or a donation certificate. ([cpw.state.co.us](https://cpw.state.co.us/sites/default/files/dam/eighxoxa7x/ch-w-0-as-approved.pdf?utm_source=openai))
For three or more dead wild birds in one area within two weeks, Colorado says notify your local CPW office. ([ag.test.colorado.gov](https://ag.test.colorado.gov/animal-health/reportable-diseases/avian-influenza/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai-outbreak))

What to do next

If the animal is on an interstate, U.S. highway, or numbered Colorado state highway, submit a CDOT case; if it is an active hazard after hours, call local law enforcement first. ([codot.gov](https://www.codot.gov/topcontent/contact-cdot))
If the animal is on a county or city street, contact that local government’s public works or animal control; Colorado’s local-road reporting pointer is to city/county contacts, not CDOT. ([codot.gov](https://www.codot.gov/topcontent/contact-cdot))
Do not handle sick wildlife or dead birds bare-handed; report strange-acting wildlife to the nearest CPW office and keep pets away. ([cpw.state.co.us](https://cpw.state.co.us/disease-exposure))

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