Colorado · Amendment 83
Follow the money and the policy record.
HOWL supports Amendment 83. The opposition’s branding, funding and policy record show why this vote matters.
Don’t Be Fooled · 6:44
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01 / Who funds them
Wayne Pacelle, former president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, now leads the Center for a Humane Economy. His organization funded Cats Aren’t Trophies, the campaign to ban mountain lion and bobcat hunting in Colorado. Now it is funding a No-on-83 campaign branded around hunters.
Anti-hunting money is funding a campaign called Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation.
Below is a billboard they’re using.
This is the campaign’s hunter-branded billboard. “HuntersAgainst83.com” leads to Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation—the committee that reported $108,254.43 from the Center for a Humane Economy through September 30, 2026.
The same organization, two campaignsCenter for a Humane Economy
$285,635.57
Campaign period: October 1, 2023–December 5, 2024, including 2023 startup contributions.
Recipient: CATS AREN’T TROPHIES · Committee ID 20235046657
See all campaign donor receipts ↓$108,254.43
2026 report through September 30.
Recipient: Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation · Committee ID 20265052338
CHE’s 2023 annual report, printed page 14, describes supporting Animal Wellness Action in forming Cats Aren’t Trophies to pursue a Colorado ballot measure banning mountain lion trophy hunting and bobcat or lynx trapping or hounding.
| Contributor | Cash | In-kind | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center for a Humane Economy, Inc. | $101,500.00 | $184,135.57 | $285,635.57 |
| Animal Wellness Action | $806,000.00 | $229,026.73 | $1,035,026.73 |
| Animal Wellness Foundation | $100,000.00 | $0.00 | $100,000.00 |
| Western Watersheds Project, Inc. | $60,000.00 | $0.00 | $60,000.00 |
| Sierra Club Uncompahgre Group | $750.00 | $0.00 | $750.00 |
TRACER records a $30,000 cash contribution from Sierra Club on August 28, 2026, to Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation.
Read the original Sierra Club contribution receipt ↗September 8, 2026 report · Reporting period July 28–September 2, 2026
| Date | Contribution | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 21, 2026 | Monetary | $100,000.00 |
| Sept. 27, 2026 | In-kindFlyers | $2,012.51 |
| Sept. 27, 2026 | In-kindSigns | $6,241.92 |
| Total of these entries | $108,254.43 | |
02 / Who they say they represent
Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation presents itself as a group of hunters, anglers and conservationists. Its campaign homepage features Eric Washburn as a big-game hunter opposing Amendment 83.
Washburn touts his TRCP connection. But on Amendment 83, TRCP takes the opposite position: it endorses a YES vote.
The opposition campaign’s own biography says Washburn co-founded and led the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
TRACER identifies him as the registered agent for Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation.
Verify the committee’s registered agent ↗
It signed the American Sportfishing Association’s October 13 support letter and announced its own endorsement on October 16, 2026.
Read the support letter and signatories ↗TRCP’s own endorsement article ↗@thetrcp’s Instagram announcement ↗
“TRCP Supports Colorado Amendment 83: Right to Hunt & Fish”
Washburn’s committeeColorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation
Follow the money, and the support leads straight to anti-hunting organizations.
CHE contributions · original TRACER schedule ↗Washburn’s committee · official record ↗
03 / What they have worked to change
The opposition’s policy record extends beyond Washburn’s committee. Keep Colorado’s Voice is a separate No-on-83 campaign, paid for by Stop the Constitutional Power Grab. Its published coalition includes groups whose representatives supported HB25-1258’s proposed removal of hunting, trapping and fishing’s primary role in necessary wildlife harvests. Its published coalition also includes Pro-Animal Future, whose Oregon Campaign Director, Sam Schillinger, previously worked on Oregon’s IP28 campaign.
Read Keep Colorado’s Voice’s campaign disclosure ↗PAF staff handbook · updated July 2026 ↗ · Sam Schillinger’s New Roots profile · April 29, 2025 ↗
These organizations appear on the campaign’s endorsement list. Their representatives testified in support of HB25-1258 on March 6, 2025.
March 6, 2025 hearing record · Keep Colorado’s Voice endorsements, checked October 16, 2026
The introduced bill would have removed hunting, trapping and fishing’s primary-methods status for necessary wildlife harvests. The proposal failed in committee.
“The state shall utilize hunting, trapping, and fishing as the primary methods of effecting necessary wildlife harvests.”Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 33, § 33-1-101(4) ↗
C.R.S. § 33-1-101(4) · The article’s source note dates to January 1, 1985.
The introduced bill would have changed “shall utilize” to “may authorize,” removing the primary-methods and necessary-harvest wording.
Compare the introduced bill’s marked changes ↗The committee adopted amendment L.001 by 9–4, then rejected a motion to advance the amended bill by 3–10. It ultimately voted 10–3 to postpone the bill indefinitely.
Read the hearing summary and votes ↗The proposal would recognize hunting and fishing as preferred means of responsible fish and wildlife population management. It also preserves regulation necessary for scientific conservation and management, public safety, and future hunting and fishing opportunities.
Its right excludes nongame species, endangered species, and species federally prohibited from hunting. It does not authorize trespass or alter property-rights statutes.
Read the final proposed constitutional text ↗The case for yes
Hunters, anglers, conservation groups and outdoor businesses are backing Amendment 83. HOWL stands with them.
The American Sportfishing Association’s October 13 letter supports Amendment 83. Read the full letter and signatory list.
Open the ASA letter and signatories (PDF) ↗
The Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project supports Amendment 83. Its statement and FAQ explain why.
Read CWCP’s endorsement and FAQ ↗Hear the argument
Watch here, or open a video in a new tab and return to this page for the source documents.
Don’t Be Fooled · 6:44
Charles discusses the wording at the center of the wildlife management debate. · 5:30
Charles discusses the Colorado Wildlife Employees Protective Association’s endorsement of Amendment 83. · 0:56
The source shelf
Primary records, campaign statements and dated reporting. Links open in a new tab so you can keep your place here.
