John TytusColorado 2026 ballot

Amendment 83: Constitutional right to hunt and fish

Constitutional amendment, citizen initiative. Needs 55% to pass.

What it does

Adds to the state constitution a right to hunt and fish by traditional methods, and declares hunting and fishing the preferred way to manage fish and wildlife populations. It doesn't cover nongame or endangered species, doesn't change trespass law, and the state can still regulate for scientific, safety, or conservation reasons. Nothing changes on day one. The Blue Book's caution is that the right may shape how the legislature and the Parks and Wildlife Commission write future rules, and that courts will decide what its language means.

Blue Book arguments

For: It protects hunting and fishing from future restrictions, as 24 other states have done, protects a heritage and a tourism economy, and license sales provide about $115 million a year, a third of Colorado Parks and Wildlife's revenue.

Against: The constitution is for fundamental rights, not recreation; Colorado already manages wildlife well, the measure puts one management method above others, and vague language invites costly lawsuits.

What it costs

No significant change in state spending expected in the near term. Parks and Wildlife could face higher legal costs over time; the amount can't be estimated.

Who is paying

Money as of the Sept 24, 2026 filing.

For: about $2 million

Committee Raised Spent
T. Roosevelt Conservation Alliance (also called Vote Yes on 83) $1,885,820 $1,851,152
Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better $100,105 $58,419
Let’s Go Colorado $0 $0

About 80% out-of-state across both committees (84% for the main one).

Against: about $56,000

Committee Raised Spent
Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation $49,675 $13,001
Protect Colorado’s Constitution $6,171 $2,398
Stop the Constitutional Power Grab $0 $0

Sierra Club, $30,000; Richard Pritzlaff, Boulder (employer listed as Biophilia Foundation), $10,000; about 80 individual gifts of $1,000 or less. Nearly all in-state.

Where the parties stand

Democrats: no position from the Colorado Democratic Party found as of Sept 30, 2026. The party's Sept 8, 2026 press release, which it describes as concluding its consideration of 2026 ballot measures, does not list Amendment 83 among the measures it supports or opposes.

Republicans: no position from the Colorado Republican Party found as of Sept 30, 2026. The Weld County Republican Party, a county party, recommends a yes vote (its Resolution WCRCC-2026-09, adopted Sept 15, 2026).

No minor-party position found as of Sept 30, 2026.

What isn't known

Where the T. Roosevelt Conservation Alliance is based (CPR says Wisconsin, Colorado Politics says Virginia; its filings give Marshfield, Wisconsin) and who funds it. Who is behind Farrell-Roeh Capital. Colorado Politics reported the Alliance's total as $412,000; TRACER filings show $1.56 million.

Background: the 2024 ballot had a measure to ban hunting mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx (Proposition 127, which failed). This amendment comes two years later.

Sources