Reps. Neguse and Pettersen and Sen. Bennet Join Growing Coalition of Elected Leaders and Progressive Organizations Endorsing Proposition 137

Momentum for Proposition 137 continues to build across the state, bringing together a broad coalition of prominent Democratic leaders, conservation advocates and progressive organizations committed to protecting Colorado’s land, water and communities from the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires.

The campaign today highlighted endorsements from key federal and state elected officials, including U.S. Representative Joe Neguse, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and former state Rep. Leslie Herod. Their support underscores the urgent need for dedicated state-level action to protect Colorado’s land and water and prevent wildfires.

“As Colorado faces increasingly severe wildfire threats and accelerating climate pressures, passing Proposition 137 is essential to safeguard our fragile ecosystems, protect our mountain communities and preserve our natural resources,” Rep. Neguse said. “It offers a forward-thinking, fiscally responsible approach to invest in forest health, watershed restoration and community resilience—ensuring the iconic public lands in the mountains, foothills and across our entire state remain protected without raising taxes on hard-working Coloradans.”

Added Sen. Michael Bennet: “This past summer was a painful reminder that Colorado must use every tool to reduce wildfire risk and protect water supplies. Proposition 137 will provide critical funding for these urgent priorities, ensuring that future generations can enjoy Colorado just as we do now.”

Former State. Rep. Leslie Herod of Denver said: “Colorado’s beautiful and vibrant outdoors, and the recreational opportunities it provides, should be available and accessible to every resident of our state. That’s why I helped create the Outdoor Equity Grant Program (OEGP) in 2021: to fund programs and opportunities that connect more youth and families with the outdoors. I proudly endorse Prop 137 because, without raising taxes, it would dedicate more than $4 million annually to OEGP and help bring even more youth and families from underserved communities into nature.”

In addition to federal and state elected leadership, Prop 137 has secured endorsements from leading progressive and advocacy organizations across Colorado, including:

• ProgressNow Colorado
• Bell Policy Center
• Colorado Coalition for Climate Action (CC4CA)
• New Era Colorado Action Fund
• Colorado Working Families Party
• Voces Unidas

These organizations represent a wide range of grassroots, working-family and community-based priorities, reinforcing Proposition 137’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities, advancing environmental justice and ensuring sustainable funding for state wildfire mitigation and conservation efforts.

“Colorado’s elected Democratic leadership, including the next governor Phil Weiser and Senate President James Coleman, agree that Proposition 137 will meet critical needs without impacting the state’s General Fund,” said ProgressNow’s Alan Franklin. “The intent of Proposition 137 isn’t to tie the hands of legislators or limit investment in healthcare and education, and lawmakers agree the measure doesn’t do that. Proposition 137 is on the ballot for one reason: to address the growing threats posed by drought and wildfires to communities across the state.”

In years when the state has a budget surplus, Prop 137 would direct an estimated $175 million annually from existing state sales tax revenue generated by sporting goods and outdoor equipment sales to fund science-backed, proactive wildfire mitigation, watershed protection and conservation efforts, all without raising taxes on Coloradans.

In years without a surplus, funding comes from the General Fund while granting state lawmakers full discretion to adjust funding levels during economic downturns or state emergencies to meet essential public needs like healthcare and education. Prop 137 was designed with long-term fiscal responsibility in mind and will save taxpayers money over time: every $1 invested in wildfire risk reduction today saves Colorado $6 in long-term wildfire damage and response costs.

The growing list of more than 200 endorsements includes a broad, bipartisan coalition of business leaders, elected officials, outdoor recreation groups and conservation organizations from across the state united in voting YES on Prop 137.