Colorado Voters to Consider New Wildfire, Conservation Funding

The ballot measure could direct up to $175 million toward wildfire mitigation and conservation projects.

Rear view of hiker fishing in lake at forest during foggy weather By Cavan for Adobe.png

Photo by Cavan via Adobe Stock

DENVER, Colo. (RFD News) — Colorado voters will decide this November whether to direct additional state revenue toward conservation and wildfire mitigation projects, according to Colorado Newsline.

Proposed Initiative 308 qualified for the ballot after supporters submitted more than 205,000 signatures. The measure would exempt sales tax revenue from sporting goods from limits under the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, potentially generating up to $175 million for the programs.

The measure would not increase taxes but could reduce TABOR refunds in years when state revenue exceeds its annual cap. Most of the funding would be divided between Great Outdoors Colorado and state wildfire mitigation programs, with smaller amounts going toward outdoor equity grants and recreation-related economic development.

Supporters say the additional funding could help address wildfire risks across Colorado, where millions of acres have been identified for watershed protection and forest management work.

The measure will receive a new proposition number before appearing on the November ballot.

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Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


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