By: Ali Longwell | The Steamboat Pilot
Opponents of the measure are concerned it could limit wildlife management flexibility and spur legal challenges.
A group seeking to establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish in Colorado has cleared a major hurdle on its way to the November 2026 ballot.
On July 8, supporters of what’s currently known as Initiative 302 submitted over 180,000 signatures to Colorado’s Secretary of State.
“This commitment by the people demonstrates the energy behind preserving our heritage here in the Centennial State this November,” said Dan Gates, founder of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management, in a news release. “Now it’s time to get it across the finish line and codify this in the state constitution so current and future generations of sportsmen and women and science-based wildlife managers can know that hunting and fishing can be sustained in perpetuity.”
For a citizen-led measure to make the ballot in Colorado, organizers must get their measure approved by the Title Board and collect around 124,000 signatures from Colorado registered voters. Following its submission, the secretary of state’s office has until Sept. 2 to review every signature submitted for Initiative 302 and certify it for the ballot. At that point, it will also receive its official proposition number.
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