Colorado Photographers Fight Permit Proposal for Wildlife Photography

A citizen petition in Colorado proposes requiring wildlife photographers to pay annual fees, sparking backlash from photographers who call it unenforceable and a violation of First Amendment rights. The petition, sponsored by Patt Dorsey, argues that photographers profit from publicly managed wildlife without contributing to conservation, unlike hunters and anglers who pay license fees. Proposed fees are $35 for Colorado residents, $100 for non-residents, and $250 for photo businesses annually, applying to commercial use including sales, licensing, stock, and monetized social media, as well as wildlife painters. Personal, non-commercial photography would be exempt. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is accepting public comments, not limited to residents. Photographers like Kristin Mae Photography and Matt Payne have voiced opposition, with Payne noting the proposal treats photography like a harvest activity and is impractical to enforce. Benjamin Burr, who has litigated film permitting, suggests the petition overlooks the First Amendment. The petition has also drawn ridicule on social media, with questions about enforcement for out-of-state photographers. Colorado is a top wildlife photography destination, with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. The CPW has not yet made a decision, and the outcome could set a precedent for other states.