A coalition of conservation and water organizations is advocating for Proposition 137, which aims to redirect approximately $175 million annually from sporting goods sales tax to fund fire mitigation, land protection, and public access in Colorado. If passed, the measure would allocate $83 million each to Great Outdoors Colorado and the state’s wildfire mitigation efforts, significantly increasing available funds.
Supporters, including major conservation groups and utilities, argue the measure addresses urgent environmental needs without raising taxes. However, it could decrease taxpayer refunds under Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) in lean years.
Opponents, including some Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups, claim it represents a hidden tax increase and could reduce legislative flexibility in budget allocations. They are concerned about potential increases in industrial logging as a result of the measure.
Proposition 137 would appear on the ballot as a change to state laws aimed at enhancing conservation funding without new taxes.
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