Colorado Wildlife & Communities Would Benefit from Proposition 137

There are many measures on the Colorado ballot right now, but there’s only one focused on dedicated funding to mitigate the effects of drought and wildfire across the state. Proposition 137 will provide critical funding for state conservation and improve access to Colorado’s great outdoors. Here at National Wildlife Federation we are urging a Yes vote on Prop 137. 

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From the vast plains of eastern Colorado to the rugged beauty of the Western Slope, Colorado is full of breath-taking scenery and diverse wildlife species.

However, after years of unprecedented drought and wildfires throughout the state, there are a number of challenges that are impacting wildlife and their habitat, while simultaneously jeopardizing communities that depend on both to thrive. Unfortunately, many of the state’s conservation programs that would address these issues are chronically underfunded. 

Right now, Colorado voters have the opportunity to approve a dedicated funding stream for critical conservation across the state and improving public access—without adding a new tax. Vote YES on Prop 137! Your YES vote will:

Dedicate Funding to Restore Wildlife Habitats

Colorado’s Prop 137 will provide additional funding for habitat restoration across the state—without creating or increasing taxes by dedicating a portion of the existing sporting goods sales tax towards state conservation.

Colorado’s infamous mountains, high plains, and expansive forests support some of the

highest mammal and bird diversity in the country. The vast terrain is home to captivating mammals such as moose, lynx, as well as smaller ones such as the adorable American pika. However, many of the fish and wildlife species in Colorado are struggling due to a variety of factors including encroaching development, invasive species, and habitat degradation.

Right now, there are more than 30 federally endangered and threatened species in Colorado as well as hundreds of other vulnerable species that are trying to survive on diminishing habitat. While state and local conservation programs have made remarkable progress, there are still not enough funds to sufficiently respond to the wildlife conservation crisis.

Protect Colorado’s Water Resources & Reduce Impacts of Wildfire

Proposition 137 will also help protect our clean water supplies, reduce the impacts of catastrophic wildfires and help support the recovery of fire-impacted watersheds.

The majority of Colorado’s watersheds originate from melted snowpacks in the mountains. When healthy, these freshwater habitats can provide clean drinking water, reduce the impacts of floods and fires, and are essential habitat for fish and wildlife. But many of these watersheds are already stressed due to years of drought and increasingly vulnerable to wildfires.

Large wildfires like the East Troublesome Fire in 2020 can degrade water quality at the source, increase water treatment costs, and damage critical water infrastructure that is expensive and time consuming to replace. Three of the worst wildfires occurred in the last five years, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and losses.

The good news is we CAN build resilience to wildfire back into Colorado’s watersheds by restoring our rivers and streams, but the needs currently outpace the available funding to protect our watersheds and communities from additional damage.

Colorado just experienced its worst snowpack on record, and the impacts of record-breaking drought are straining our water supplies and worsening wildfire risk. Vote YES on Prop 137 to dedicate funding towards water conservation and fire prevention projects.

Increase and Improve Access to Nature

“Connection to nature can be a doorway into a wider, deeper and even healing world—if we pay attention.”

– Richard Louv

Colorado Prop 137 will improve nature accessibility for Coloradans, support environmental education programs, and create new parks.

The outdoors is one of Colorado’s best assets and most popular attractions. The flowing rivers, vast landscapes, parks and trail systems, healthy wildlife populations, and abundant recreation opportunities are what make Colorado an outdoor destination. But not every child and family shares equal access to these opportunities.

Barriers like cost, transportation, and accessibility prevent many families from accessing nature in Colorado. Yet, connecting people and nature has important health benefits. Studies show outdoor time helps children grow strong, enhances imaginations and attention spans, decreases aggression, and boosts classroom performance.

In addition, children who spend time in nature regularly are shown to become better stewards of the environment. Establishing new parks, providing environmental education, and improving access to current nature areas will make a difference for many Coloradans–and ultimately wildlife.

Vote YES on Colorado Proposition 137

Many of Colorado’s vast open spaces, rivers, and forests are facing worsening threats. Catastrophic wildfire, intensifying heat and drought, and rapidly encroaching development are challenging communities, drying up water supplies, undermining economic growth, and deteriorating forest health.

Without action now, Colorado risks depleting its most treasured and valuable asset: our abundant natural areas. Funding water and land conservation, outdoor recreation, wildfire risk reduction and access to nature is the best way to protect the Colorado we know and love.

Proposition 137 reaffirms Coloradans’ long-time support for the outdoors with actual resources to improve habitat and safeguard our water. Vote YES on Colorado Proposition 137 to support conservation in Colorado!

To learn more about the issue, visit the Yes on Prop 137 website.

*Paid for by National Wildlife Federation. Registered Agent: Ish Savadogo, CFO