Why It Matters: Colorado is a state currently beset with many political challenges that threaten our outdoor pursuits and traditions. Despite that, sportspeople from across the state gathered at the Capitol in Denver to both show legislators who support us our support for them, and to show those legislators who threaten our interests that the sporting-conservation community is paying attention and isn’t going away. Events like this that bring sportsmen and women together with legislators to celebrate our hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting traditions in a positive environment are an effective way to educate them about our beliefs but also to show them that we’re engaged.
Highlights:
- Approximately 600 sportsmen and women gathered on the lawn of the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Friday, April 25, 2025, to celebrate Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol.
- Presentations were given by the Colorado Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Senators Dylan Roberts and Rod Pelton, and Representatives Meghan Lukens and Ryan Armagost, who gave speeches of support, along with our partners at Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) and the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project (CWCP).
- The members of the House and Senate showed their support by running Joint Resolution HJR25-1028 at the same time, declaring April 25 as Colorado Sportsmen’s Day 2025.
2025 has been an interesting year for sportsmen and women and Colorado. Coming off the monumental victory in defeating Proposition 127 last November, which would have banned mountain lion hunting, our coalition has managed to use that momentum to achieve some wins in the Commission and in the Legislature in the ensuing months. However, politics is rarely a “winner takes all” situation, and despite the Prop. 127 results revealing that the Colorado public is clearly on the side of scientific wildlife management, Coloradans who truly believe in wildlife conservation have nonetheless been faced with many challenges in the Legislature this year, especially with respect to firearms.
It is this political backdrop that Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol was held this year. And, with everything going on, it was a very welcome day of fellowship and celebration in the Mile High City. Around 600 sportspeople gathered on the Capitol lawn to enjoy wild game burgers and brats, and hear legislators voice their support for them and their issues. CSF Assistant Manager of the Southwestern States, Barry Snell, kicked things off by welcoming everyone and introducing Senator Dylan Roberts who spoke on behalf of the Caucus, highlighting the challenges we currently face in Colorado, and how the alliance between the Caucus and sportspeople was critical to meeting those challenges. Several of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) in-state partners, like Dan Gates with CRWM and Gaspar Perricone with CWCP also spoke to the crowd about the good work we’re doing together to defend and advance hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting, and how Colorado’s abundant wildlife resources are being managed.
Meanwhile, as the crowd was gathered on the lawn, the House and Senate ran a concurrent joint resolution in support of Colorado’s sportspeople. Joint Resolution HJR25-1028 declares April 25 to be Colorado Sportsmen’s Day 2025. The resolution was sponsored by all Colorado Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus co-chairs in the House and the Senate, and urged all members of the Colorado Legislature to join the Sportsmen’s Caucus. A copy of the resolution was ordered to be sent to Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis.
CSF extends its thanks to all the volunteers who helped put on this tremendous annual event, and to all who attended. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.
