A Hunter’s Case Against Amendment 83: Gary Skiba on Colorado’s Right-to-Hunt Measure

Gary Skiba is a lifelong hunter and angler, retired Colorado wildlife biologist, former Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioner, and former staff lead on Colorado’s early wolf-management planning. In this episode, he joins Mark to discuss why he opposes Amendment 83, the 2026 proposal to establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish in Colorado.

The conversation examines language in the amendment including “traditional methods,” “preferred means,” and requirements tied to “sound scientific wildlife conservation and management.” Skiba discusses his concerns about how those provisions could be interpreted, potential litigation and local-control questions, and how a constitutional right could affect future decisions by CPW staff and commissioners.

Mark and Gary also discuss the respective roles of biological science, social science, and public values in wildlife policy; Colorado's citizen-initiative process; wolf restoration under Proposition 114; Proposition 127; Colorado's previous voter-approved restrictions on bear hunting and trapping; and the broader relationship between hunters, nonhunters, wildlife agencies, and the voting public.

Links discussed

Amendment 83 — Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish: official Colorado Legislative Council page with the measure text and ballot analysis. Amendment 83 official information

Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation: the hunter- and angler-led organization discussed with Gary. Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation

Colorado's 2004 Wolf Management Working Group recommendations: the earlier wolf-management process Gary helped lead. Findings and Recommendations for Managing Wolves That Migrate Into Colorado

Proposition 114 — Gray Wolf Reintroduction: official 2020 ballot language and election information. Proposition 114

Proposition 127 — Mountain Lion, Bobcat and Lynx Hunting: official 2024 ballot information. Proposition 127

1996 Amendment 14 — Prohibited Methods of Taking Wildlife: Colorado's constitutional restrictions on certain traps, snares and poisons discussed in the episode. Amendment 14

1992 Amendment 10 — Black Bear Hunting: the voter-approved restrictions on spring bear hunting, bait and hounds discussed by Gary. Amendment 10