Proposition 137: Designate Sporting Goods Sales Tax Revenue for Conservation
What does this measure do?
Supports: Environment and Public Health
The state would keep about $175 million a year in sales tax already collected on sporting goods, instead of refunding it under TABOR, and spend it on wildfire prevention, water, parks and outdoor programs. Tax rates do not change, but TABOR refunds shrink by that amount in over-limit years.
Proposed by: Citizen initiative by Colorado conservation groups (Initiative 308; Brendan Witt and Aaron Citron)
Backed by The Nature Conservancy, Western Resource Advocates, Conservation Colorado and the Trust for Public Land. Citron is the Conservancy's Colorado policy director.
Source: coloradosun.com
A YES vote means
Starting in 2027, about $175 million a year in sporting goods sales tax goes to wildfire, water, parks and outdoor programs instead of taxpayer refunds.
A NO vote means
Sporting goods sales tax keeps counting toward the state's spending limit, so that money is refunded to taxpayers in years the state collects too much.
Campaign Finance Information
Campaign Finance Information
Largest donors supporting
- The Nature ConservancyNational land conservation nonprofit$1,580,853
- WRA Action FundWestern environmental advocacy group$524,331
- Fund for a Better Future · CASacramento nonprofit; donors not public$349,857
- Trust for Public LandParks and land conservation nonprofit$212,750
- Thomas Walton · ARWalmart founding family member$125,000
Largest donors opposing
No large donors reported.
Filings as of September 17, 2026 · Source: tracer.sos.colorado.gov
Sources: coloradosos.gov · sos.state.co.us · leg.colorado.gov