Support for Prop 137 pulls slightly ahead but ballot measure remains too close to call

Proposition 137 remained too close to call on Wednesday afternoon.

As of 3:45 p.m., unofficial results from the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office showed support pulling ahead of the opposition to the ballot measure by about 15,000 votes — with about 2.1 million votes cast.

Prop 137 would create a pool of about $175 million for existing conservation and outdoors programs, including projects that aim to mitigate wildfire risk, by allowing the state government to keep more of the taxes it collects from sports equipment sales. If approved, the ballot measure would reduce Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights, or TABOR, refunds by between $26 and $83 for single filers, or double that for joint filers, in some years.

The ballot measure would dedicate 47.5% of its funding to the Great Outdoors Colorado program, known as GOCO, which currently funds parks, trails and wildlife projects through lottery revenues; another 47.5% toward wildfire risk mitigation, forest management and watershed restoration projects; and the remaining 5% to outdoor recreation, economic development and equity programs.

Prop 137 was brought by a coalition known as “Protect Colorado’s Land and Water, Prevent Wildfires” and has received support from The Nature Conservancy, Denver Water’s board of water commissioners, local groups such as the Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council, Eagle Valley Land Trust and SOS Outreach, as well as major political players in Colorado, including former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, former U.S. Sen. Mark Udall and former Gov. Bill Ritter.

Proponents of the ballot measure argue that it would increase funding for crucial programs that benefit Coloradans without raising taxes. The measure’s largest opposition came from those who have concerns about its fiscal impacts and whether the funds support the right kind of wildfire mitigation and conservation efforts.

“We are monitoring results closely and remain confident that Colorado’s conservation ethic will see Prop 137 across the finish line,” said Yes on Prop 137 campaign spokesperson Curtis Hubbard in a statement Tuesday night. “When all the votes are counted, we believe Colorado’s land and water will win.”