Colorado Voters Will Consider Amendment 83
The proposed measure on the November 3, 2026, ballot would establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Hunting
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Should states constitutionally protect the right to hunt and fish?
Colorado voters will decide on Amendment 83 on November 3, 2026. The proposed measure would add a new section to Article XVIII of the state constitution to establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish.
Why it matters
The amendment seeks to preserve traditional hunting and fishing methods while identifying these activities as the primary way for the state to manage wildlife populations.
Amendment 83 defines hunting and fishing as the primary method for wildlife population management. The measure specifically excludes endangered, nongame, and federally protected species.
The players
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Alliance
This organization is the lead entity campaigning in support of the constitutional amendment.
The details
If passed, the amendment affirms the right to hunt and fish using traditional methods while maintaining that the state can still regulate activities based on scientific conservation and public safety. It explicitly clarifies that the new constitutional right does not grant an individual the authority to trespass on private lands.
Timeline
Voters will decide on Amendment 83 on November 3, 2026.
Culture Shift
This proposal reflects a broader societal trend toward formalizing outdoor traditions within state governing documents. The measure signals a departure from standard legislative management by seeking to cement these activities into Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution.
The amendment will affect how residents engage with public and private lands for outdoor recreation. It ensures that while the right to hunt and fish is constitutionally recognized, property owners retain protections against trespassing.
The takeaway
Voters should review how this amendment would change the balance between state wildlife conservation and private property rights. Understanding these constitutional changes is essential for all state residents who utilize public and private lands.
What happens next
Voters across Colorado will cast their ballots on the measure on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on state outdoor policies, visit the Colorado Hunting section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Western Livestock Journal.
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Should states constitutionally protect the right to hunt and fish?
