[cbp210]

I sent a letter to the Colorado Outfitters Association letting them know my business will go to another State after Hickenlooper signed the gun laws. Here is their response

"thank you for your letter and concern. COA shares your dissatisfaction, frustration and strong disapproval of Colorado's gun rights grab.

As an Association we have been strong advocates for responsible wildlife management and Colorado hunters’ rights for both residents and non-residents for years. And every year we face new issues. We all understand that this gun legislation is just the latest issue in the on-going battle that gun owners across the country face.



Although we agree with your strong feelings we would like for you to reconsider your decision to boycott Colorado, and instead we ask that you show your support for our efforts to promote hunting opportunities for all sportsmen and women. We support and promote hunting rights, and it’s people like you who fund a large portion of wildlife programs. We also would like to thank you for voicing your concerns. Your letter was among many that we have received, and we voiced these opinions to our legislators about the unintended consequences of this misguided legislation.



Colorado Outfitters Association has begun to raise money to fund our battles against issues such as gun rights, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife policies regarding Non Resident license allocation, Non Resident participation in the Ranching for Wildlife programs, Management for quality and quantity of abundant wildlife populations, and cutting back on their excessive spending, to name a few.



This year COA established a Sportsman’s Defense Fund, with sweepstake prizes (including hunts) as a way to thank donors. These funds will help us continue to promote sportsmen rights and allow us to sponsor new legislation regarding hunting and wildlife issues. If you’re interested please check out our website at Colorado Outfitters Association - Hunting, Fishing, & Outdoor Recreation Guides and Outfitters .



As a previous supporter of Colorado we ask that you help us in our fight. We need the support of you and your friends now more than ever.



Thanks again for voicing your concerns and for your support."



Colorado Outfitters Association

Board of Directors

Colorado Outfitters Association - Hunting, Fishing, & Outdoor Recreation Guides and Outfitters

[email protected]

970-824-2468

 

[ANGLICO]

To the OP. Thank you. If everyone here would take a simple, and polite stand with business (as in this case) and your elected officials, we could change the world, or at least protect our butts in the USA (the Jury is still out on that one = I don't see enough people who will walk the walk, after they try to talk the talk).

Again, nice post.

 

[ppkheat]

I'd strongly consider sending COA a donation to their Sportsman's Defense Fund, but for now, that's about the only money I'd leave in Colorado.

Now if one day they'd ever repent, uhhh, I mean repeal their gun laws, then I'd be back with my hunting, skiing money. Otherwise, it's too easy to spend it somewhere else in friendlier territory.

 

[LoneStarSooner]

One of my closest friends lives in Colorado Springs. Every winter we do a long guys weekend in CO, skiing, watching college football, having a few adult beverages, telling lies (I mean stories). There are between 5 - 10 guys that travel to CO for the trip. I'm guessing we each spend a couple of thousand dollars over the course of the trip. We've already discussed this fall's trip and decided we will not be going to CO. Will find ourselves in NM or maybe Utah.

 

[cbp210]

One of my closest friends lives in Colorado Springs. Every winter we do a long guys weekend in CO, skiing, watching college football, having a few adult beverages, telling lies (I mean stories). There are between 5 - 10 guys that travel to CO for the trip. I'm guessing we each spend a couple of thousand dollars over the course of the trip. We've already discussed this fall's trip and decided we will not be going to CO. Will find ourselves in NM or maybe Utah.

This is something COA needs to hear so they can send all this to the Colorado Tourism Bureau and show the Colorado legislature the impact.

 

[LoneStarSooner]

You're right cbp. Forgot to mention that I'd already sent a letter to Hickenlooper complete with a detailed revenue breakdown of last year's trip when all 11 of us were there. Total spend was just north of $25k. Haven't sent a letter to COA yet but I'll do that this afternoon.

 

[shadowwalker]

At the currant rate of states falling I have been looking at several places where I can become a hermit and me and Bigfoot can work togather and I'll teach him how to reload. I find that after letters I follow up with phone calls to the powers that wanna-be and a lot of comments are not being sent on or they are filed in the round file. I am pleased to say that I have been classified as a pain and return letters have let me know of it but I giving it my best shot, no pun intended

 

[oakchas]

Although we agree with your strong feelings we would like for you to reconsider your decision to boycott Colorado, and instead we ask that you show your support for our efforts to promote hunting opportunities for all sportsmen and women. We support and promote hunting rights, and it’s people like you who fund a large portion of wildlife programs. We also would like to thank you for voicing your concerns. Your letter was among many that we have received, and we voiced these opinions to our legislators about the unintended consequences of this misguided legislation.

Please don't boycott us... come "hunt" with us! we're having a nerf gun safari! Bring the kids! PLEASE! Don't leave us here alone!

MAN UP, COA folks... Spend some money letting the public in your state know what their legislators are costing them... Do it now, while you've got some scratch left in your coffers... because soon, you'll be blowing dust out of the till. And if you're lucky and survive until the next election cycle... maybe folks will come back, after the laws are repealed.

 

[Arborigine]

I go to a motorcycle event on the Grand Mesa every June, then off to the in-laws in Mancos for a few days. I am thinking perhaps another destination this year.

 

[nedrgr21]

... instead we ask that you show your support for our efforts to promote hunting opportunities for all sportsmen and women. We support and promote hunting rights, and it’s people like you who fund a large portion of wildlife programs. ...
Colorado Outfitters Association has begun to raise money to fund our battles against issues such as gun rights, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife policies regarding Non Resident license allocation, Non Resident participation in the Ranching for Wildlife programs, Management for quality and quantity of abundant wildlife populations, and cutting back on their excessive spending, to name a few.... We need the support of you and your friends now more than ever.

Big question is ..... did they stand with us? - or are the just coming around now that it might affect their pockets. Seems they're still only, or 98%, concerned with hunting, not rights - or only when convenient/necessary. Maybe a season of pain will help them see more clearly.