Victory For Wildlife: Colorado Voters Reject Amendment 83 Amid Concerns Over Wildlife Protections

Efforts to protect Colorado’s wildlife took an important step forward with the defeat of Amendment 83. Animal advocates warned that the proposal could put hard-won protections against cruel hunting and trapping practices at risk and make future efforts to prevent wildlife suffering more difficult.

Unofficial election results show the measure falling short of the 55% approval needed to pass. Amendment 83 would have added a right to hunt and fish certain wildlife species to Colorado’s constitution and designated these activities as the preferred means of managing wildlife populations.

In a November 4 update, Humane World for Animals warned that the amendment’s undefined reference to “traditional methods” could have been used to challenge restrictions on leghold traps, snares, and hunting bears with bait or hounds.

Aubyn Royall, Colorado state director for Humane World for Animals, said:

“Amendment 83 posed a serious threat to Coloradans’ ability to shape wildlife policy, and votes reported so far clearly show that they recognized what was at stake. Colorado’s wildlife belongs to all of us—not just those who want to kill it—and we all deserve a say in how these animals are treated. We’re grateful to the advocates, volunteers and organizations who worked tirelessly to defeat this dangerous proposal and we will continue our fight to protect Colorado’s treasured wildlife.”

The outcome followed months of community outreach to help voters understand the proposal. Project Coyote joined public rallies and worked with community members to explain the amendment’s potential risks to wildlife.

“Colorado is a state that takes pride in its wildlife, and voters made clear they want a say in how it’s managed and protected. We are grateful to the volunteers, partner coalitions, and neighbors who spent months talking with their communities about what this amendment would mean,” said Camilla Fox, founder and executive director of Project Coyote. “Today’s result belongs to them.”

The defeat of Amendment 83 is a victory worth celebrating, but the fight continues for animals still at risk of injury and death from cruel hunting and trapping practices. Colorado’s wildlife deserves lasting protections that prevent suffering and ensure animals are treated with compassion and respect.