Colorado: Apprentice Hunting Bill Up for Hearing

Senate Bill 226, introduced by state Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R-1), would strengthen Colorado’s rich hunting heritage by opening up an apprentice program for minors in the field. SB 226 is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, April 15, in the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee. Please contact the members of the committee and politely urge them to SUPPORT Senate Bill 226.

As previously reported, SB 226 would give hunters who are at least 10 years of age the ability to go into the field to hunt, as long as they are accompanied by someone at least 18 years of age or older who has successfully completed hunter education training.  This bill would also remove the mandated 10 hour training requirement for obtaining a hunter education license but would still keep training in place by a division certified instructor.

Lengthy hunter education requirements often discourage potential hunters from going afield because they are unwilling to dedicate the necessary time to complete the course in order to pursue an activity that they are simply trying out.  The apprentice license program would allow them to experience hunting while under the supervision of a mentor.  Eventually, the goal is for these apprentices to complete a hunter education course so they can hunt on their own, which has largely been the case in the states with similar programs.  Apprentice hunting license programs throughout the country have issued more than 1 million licenses to date and these hunters have proven to be safer than all other classes of hunters in what is already one of the safest recreational activities in America.

Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee:

Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R-1), Chair
(303) 866-6360
senatorsonnenberg@gmail.com 

Senator Ellen Roberts (R-6), Vice-Chair
(303) 866-4884
Ellen.roberts.senate@state.co.us 

Senator Randy Baumgardner (R-8)
(303) 866-5292
Randy.baumgardner.senate@state.co.us

Senator John Cooke (R-13)
(303) 866-4451
John.cooke.senate@state.co.us 

Senator Kerry Donovan (D-5)
(303) 866-4871
Kerry.donovan.senate@state.co.us

Senator Leroy Garcia (D-3)
(303) 866-4878
Leroy.garcia.senate@state.co.us

Senator Mary Hodge (D-25)
(303) 866-4855
Mary.hodge.senate@state.co.us

Senator Matt Jones (D-17)
(303) 866-5291
senatormattjones@gmail.com

Senator Ray Scott (R-7)
(303) 866-3077
Ray.scott.senate@state.co.us