Colorado Imposes New Hunting Tax
On Thursday, February 9, 2023, upon House adjournment in HCR 0107, the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee will hear HB 23-1036, a bill to require all Colorado hunters to pay an estimated $13.00 tax on every hunting license sold in the state to fund a “voluntary” program to swap lead ammunition for nontoxic replacements. The $13.00 tax is an estimate only, which could be even higher after a more thorough analysis of revenue is conducted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
The Fiscal Note attached to the bill estimates that only 20% of hunters will take advantage of the ammo swap, which is expected to cost $5M during its initial implementation. Details on how the swap will work will be developed by CPW in the rule making process.
“This is an outrageous bill that turns the word “voluntary” completely on its head,” said Todd Adkins, vice president of government affairs at the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “This program is forcing the entire hunting community to eat a new tax when they know going in that only a small percentage will take advantage of the program.”
Colorado sportsmen must reach out to their elected officials to register their concern about HB 23-1036.
Proving once again he is not a friend to Colorado sportsmen and despite bipartisan support, yesterday, May 16, 2023, Governor Jared Polis vetoed Senate Bill 23-259.
As we previously reported, SB23-259 would have allowed the state greater management flexibility of the wolf population, which would have been extremely important as newly established wolf packs interact with the landscape.
Minnesota DNR bans lead ammunition on some state land, stops short of fishing tackle ban
Hunters will not be allowed to use lead ammo in 56 Scientific and Natural Areas.
A new order by the Department of Natural Resources will require hunters to use nontoxic ammunition in 56 Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) where hunting is allowed.
The order signed June 27 by DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen is viewed by a large band of conservation groups as another step toward outlawing lead hunting ammo and lead fishing tackle. The change for SNAs resulted from petitions brought to the DNR starting several years ago by Friends of Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas.
