Amendment 83: Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish

Colorado · initiated constitutional amendment · on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The ballot wording and the arguments for and against from the state’s official voter guide, in the state’s own words, each read the same way for rhetorical techniques. We don’t recommend a vote.

On the ballot

no rhetorical technique found

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution creating a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest fish and wildlife by traditional methods, including all species of fish and wildlife managed by the state except non-game species, endangered species, or any species that is illegal to hunt under federal law, and, in connection therewith, establishing hunting and fishing as the preferred means of managing fish and wildlife populations; and preserving the right of the state to regulate hunting, fishing, and wildlife management if necessary for sound scientific wildlife conservation and management, public safety, or to preserve the future of hunting and fishing opportunities for all species?

From coloradosos.gov. Checked 2026-10-20. Confirm with your official ballot (sample-ballot lookup).

Argument for

By Colorado Legislative Council Staff (State Ballot Information Booklet)

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1) This measure provides lasting protection against future attempts to restrict or eliminate hunting and fishing, and Colorado should join the 24 other states that similarly protect the right to hunt and fish in their state constitutions. Additionally, hunting and fishing are part of Colorado’s heritage and cultural identity and are important to its tourism and recreation economy.

Revenue from hunting and fishing licenses benefits habitat and wildlife management efforts in all areas of the state, with one-third of CPW’s current annual revenue, about $115 million, coming from license sales.

From content.leg.colorado.gov, the official voter guide.

Argument against

By Colorado Legislative Council Staff (State Ballot Information Booklet)

no rhetorical technique found

1) The state constitution should protect fundamental rights and not recreational activities. Colorado is already a leader in wildlife conservation and management. Enshrining a right to hunt and fish in the Colorado Constitution is unnecessary, and it promotes one method of managing wildlife above others. This measure may restrict the ability to place guardrails on hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Further, the use of undefined, vague language could prompt costly legal challenges and undermine reasonable regulations that voters, state lawmakers, and CPW have already put in place.

From content.leg.colorado.gov, the official voter guide.

Who’s behind it

Party positions: Colorado Democratic Party: No position published · Colorado Republican Party: No position published · Libertarian Party of Colorado: Yes · Colorado Forward Party: No position

Committees registered to support or oppose Amendment 83, and what they reported to Colorado Secretary of State TRACER (tracer.sos.colorado.gov). Checked 2026-10-20.

Before comparing the sides: each committee’s figures come from its own latest report, so they can cover different dates. Some committees work on more than one measure or other campaigns, and their totals include all of it. A side with no registered committee can still have supporters. How much a side raised says nothing about whether the measure is a good idea.

Supporting

VOTE YES ON 83

Ballot measure committee

Raised $2,366,372 · spent $2,341,135 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

T. ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION ALLIANCE · $1,562,000
Other
CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN'S FOUNDATION · $350,000
501(c)(3) nonprofit
FAREELL-ROEH CAPITAL, LLLP · $150,000
Company
DEMASKE, JEFF · $100,000 · individual
own contributions since Jan 1, 2020, federal (FEC): $0 to Democratic and $8,473 to Republican candidates and party committees; Colorado state (TRACER): $0 to Democratic and $556 to Republican candidates and party committees
HUNTER ACTION FUND · $100,000
Political action committee

COLORADO'S WILDLIFE DESERVE BETTER

Ballot measure committee

Raised $208,690 · spent $174,111 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

T ROOSEVELT ACTION INC · $50,000
501(c)(4) nonprofit
SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL - COLORADO CHAPTER · $50,000
501(c)(4) nonprofit
HUNTER ACTION FUND · $50,000
Political action committee
STEVINSON, KENT · $25,000 · individual
own contributions since Jan 1, 2020, federal (FEC): $0 to Democratic and $5,600 to Republican candidates and party committees
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SOCIETY INC · $25,000
501(c)(3) nonprofit

HUNT TO CONSERVE COLORADO

Ballot measure committee

Raised $0 · spent $0 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Opposing

PROTECT COLORADO'S CONSTITUTION

Ballot measure committee

“Dedicated to preserving our state's founding document for future generations.” — its website

Raised $10,470 · spent $8,164 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

COLORADO HUNTERS AND ANGLERS FOR SENSIBLE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION · $2,400
Ballot measure committee
SOMMERS, SUSAN · $1,000 · individual
ANDERSON, MITCHELL · $1,000 · individual
MACH, CHERYL · $1,000 · individual
MASON, JACQUELINE · $897 · individual

COLORADO HUNTERS AND ANGLERS FOR SENSIBLE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Ballot measure committee

“We are a group of passionate hunters, anglers and conservationists who care deeply about wildlife, habitat, and the future of responsible outdoor traditions.” — its website

Raised $168,435 · spent $132,161 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

CENTER FOR A HUMANE ECONOMY, INC. · $108,254
501(c)(3) nonprofit
SIERRA CLUB · $30,000
501(c)(4) nonprofit
PRITZLAFF, RICHARD · $10,000 · individual
own contributions since Jan 1, 2020, federal (FEC): $9,350 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees, $200 to others; Colorado state (TRACER): $340 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees
CATTO, JOHN · $5,000 · individual
HATCH, DAVID · $5,000 · individual

VOTE NO 83

Ballot measure committee

Raised $0 · spent $0 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

PEOPLE FOR A FAIR COLORADO

Ballot measure committee

Registered; no financial report filed yet.

MAKE GOOD CHANGE

Ballot measure committee

“The People's Ballot is an unofficial voter guide to the 14 statewide ballot measures on Colorado's Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot.” — its website

Registered; no financial report filed yet.

A rhetorical technique is about wording, not about whether a measure is a good idea or an argument is true. Ballot wording is written under each state’s own rules, and official arguments by the people the state names. All Colorado measures →