Shortsighted, ridiculous, outrageous, and taxes out of control. I will be submitting my comments (Thursday deadline), and it's going to take everything I've got to keep from being angry and rude.
It's worded so poorly, any Colorado resident who photographs a wild animal in their backyard can be fined if they try to sell the photo. People like me who sell wildlife photos (and pay all applicable taxes and fees when entering parks, refuges and recreational areas) and barely make $10 per year would have to buy a $250 annual permit in addition to costs already being paid in order to sell (such as Etsy fees, printing costs, annual photo gallery costs, applicable copyright fees, equipment and maintenance costs, etc.).
Artists will have to pay the annual fee!!! To draw or paint wildlife in Colorado! Who is going to check to see where each artist got their inspiration?!?
As others have mentioned, professional photographers are often more environment- and ethics-aware than the average enthusiast such as phone-toting amateurs who regularly harass wildlife, trample nature while in pursuit and ignore regulations.
Yes, I'm ticked. But I'm going to try not to show it when I draft my comments.
