Sportfishing Industry Backs Colorado Amendment 83

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tuesday, October 13, 2026 —This week, 127 companies and organizations from across the recreational fishing industry joined a letter in support of Colorado Amendment 83. If approved by voters this November, Amendment 83 would establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish in Colorado while keeping the state’s authority to manage fish and wildlife based on science.

“Protecting fishing opportunities matters not just to Colorado anglers, but to the nationwide sportfishing industry,” said Glenn Hughes, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. “Our businesses depend on people having the freedom and opportunity to fish, and on states recognizing the value fishing brings to their communities. Amendment 83 is an important statement about the place fishing should continue to hold in Colorado and across the country.”

In addition to establishing a constitutional right to hunt and fish, Amendment 83 would also establish hunting and fishing as the preferred means of responsibly managing fish and wildlife populations. The Amendment would preserve the authority of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and the General Assembly to regulate hunting and fishing to conserve fish and wildlife, protect public safety and maintain opportunities for future generations.

“Fishing is often not about the catch. It’s early mornings on the water, time with family and friends, and a meaningful way to connect to the outdoors that becomes a part of who you are,” said Casey Shedd, president of AFTCO. “Amendment 83 recognizes the place fishing holds in Colorado’s outdoor culture and helps ensure that future generations have the opportunity to build those same connections. That’s a future worth protecting.”

The letter’s signers include manufacturers, retailers, media companies and other businesses from across the recreational fishing industry, reflecting the industry’s significant economic impact in Colorado. In 2022 alone, anglers spent more than $2 billion fishing in Colorado, supporting more than 15,000 jobs and more than $860 million in salaries and wages. More than 680,000 resident and nonresident anglers fish Colorado’s waters annually, from world-class trout streams to large reservoirs and warmwater fisheries.

“Fishing is an important part of America’s outdoor heritage, and Colorado offers some of the best fishing opportunities in the country,” said Travis Tuma, President of Rapala VMC USA. “At Rapala, we’ve spent generations helping anglers pursue the fish that ‘swim like a Rapala,’ and we believe those opportunities should be protected for generations to come. Amendment 83 recognizes the importance of fishing in Colorado while preserving the state’s ability to responsibly manage its fish and wildlife. We’re proud to support it.”

“Anglers have a direct stake in the health of the waters and fish populations they enjoy, and they’ve helped fund fisheries conservation for generations,” said Frank-Paul King, President of Temple Fork Outfitters. “Amendment 83 recognizes that fishing and conservation go hand in hand. TFO is proud to support a measure that helps ensure both remain part of Colorado’s future.”

Fishing license and Habitat Stamp revenue helps Colorado Parks and Wildlife manage fisheries, conserve habitat and maintain public access. The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program returns excise taxes paid by the recreational fishing industry to state agencies like Colorado Parks and Wildlife for fisheries management, habitat conservation, public access and boating facilities.

Taken together, these investments form the user-pays, public-benefit system that anglers and the sportfishing industry have supported for more than 75 years. Healthy fisheries and fishing opportunities welcome anglers to the water; those anglers support local businesses through tackle, equipment and other purchases; and the license fees and excise taxes generated by fishing go back to state agencies to conserve fisheries and sustain fishing opportunities.

Colorado voters will decide on Amendment 83 in the November 3 general election.

Click here to read the full sportfishing industry letter supporting Amendment 83.