Opposition grows for anti-ag ballot measures
There is less than a month ahead before Colorado residents make a final decision on two anti-agriculture policy measures – Prohibition of Slaughterhouses and Prohibition of Fur Products.
It has been almost a year since the hush-hush plans to get the measures on the 2024 ballot came out, with enough signatures generated to officially make the ballot in November 2024.
These anti-ag measures are led by Pro-Animal Future (PAF), an organization comprised of volunteer animal rights extremists in the Denver area dedicated to creating political movements to end factory farming.
As voting day draws nearer, opposition to these bans continues to grow.
The slaughterhouse ban
Initiated Ordinance 309, more commonly referred to as the Denver Slaughterhouse Ban, would shut down existing and future livestock harvest operations in Denver beginning in January 2026.
Today, there is only one slaughterhouse operating in Denver city limits – Superior Farms, Inc. – the largest lamb processor in the U.S.
This employee-owned facility has a workforce of more than 170 people and is only one of five lamb harvest facilities in the nation with an annual harvest capacity of greater than 100,000 head. The company accounts for 15 to 20 percent of the total lamb harvest capacity in the U.S.
PAF claims Superior Farms prioritizes efficiency and profit over environmental stewardship and is to blame for high pollution in the area.
Those in opposition of the ban note the closure of the plant would be a devastating blow to the Denver community and the sheep industry, as Colorado accounts for the third largest sheep and lamb inventory and second largest slaughter-ready lamb inventory in the U.S.
Earlier this year, the Regional Economic Development Institute at Colorado State University (CSU) conducted an analysis on the implications of shutting down Superior Farms, finding the “most pessimistic” potential economic impact to Colorado would be a reduction of $861 million in current economic activity and 2,787 jobs lost after “accounting for multiplier effects.”
“Shutting down this facility is likely to substantially impact the U.S.-based lamb supply chain and would severely strain existing facilities, thus reducing the volume of Colorado lamb available for purchase in Colorado and the rest of the U.S.,” reads the CSU report. “Additionally, lamb producers in the Mountain West Region would have limited options for marketing harvest-ready lambs in an already overburdened meat processing sector.”
The fur ban
According to PAF, Initiated Ordinance 308, also known as the Denver Fur Ban, seeks to prohibit the sale, distribution and manufacturing of new fur products within city limits, with some allowances for Native American cultural items and thrifted fur.
“Starting on July 1, 2025, retailers, wholesalers and individuals would no longer be able to offer new fur items for sale or distribution within city limits,” reads PAF’s website. “This measure applies to all types of fur products, from luxury fur coats and accessories to home décor items like rugs or blankets made from animal pelts.”
PAF notes the Denver Fur Ban stems from animal welfare concerns regarding animals specifically farmed for fur including minks, foxes, chinchillas and rabbits.
“Fur products are derived from animals which endure unimaginable suffering on fur farms, where they live in cramped, filthy conditions before being killed using brutal methods,” claims PAF.
“In Denver, at least six high-end stores in the city continue to sell fur, catering to a small, wealthy customer base who still view fur as a luxury item, despite the shifting cultural perception around animal welfare and fashion,” the PAF website continues.
The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) Board of Directors point out this no-fur initiative would have a broader effect, putting a stop to the sale of coats, handbags, wallets, shoes, gloves, rugs and cowboy hats.
As a result, a long list of vendors would be unable to attend the NWSS in January to sell their goods, and many Western stores would likely see similar restrictions.
Growing opposition
Although controversy has persisted since both ballot measures were initially announced, opposition has grown as the Nov. 5 vote date draws nearer.
According to an Oct. 2 Farm Journal article written by Jennifer Shike, the latest in the Colorado ballot initiative controversy is a recent 207-to-12 vote from the Central Committee of the Denver Democratic Party rejecting the proposal to ban slaughterhouses in Denver city limits.
This vote adds to a list of other organizations speaking out in opposition of the Denver Slaughterhouse Ban, including the American Sheep Industry Association, CoBank, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Concern, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Livestock Association (CLA), Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, Colorado Wool Growers Association, Denver Area Labor Federation, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Denver Pipefitters Local #208, Downtown Denver Partnership, EatDenver, Meat Institute, Metro Denver Lodging Council, Mile-Hi Cattlewomen, Mile High Restaurant Association, NWSS, National Pork Producers Council, Rocky Mountain Bison Association, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Service Employees International Union Local 105, UFCW Local 7 and Visit Denver.
Shike notes, “La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal Chef Jose Avila and II Posto Chef Andrea Frizzi are teaming up with NWSS President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Andrews, Superior Farms Operations Manager and Employee Owner Isabel Bautista and CLA President Kenny Rogers, along with other Superior Farms employee owners, to oppose this citizen-initiated measure.”
A Stop the Ban campaign has been launched, offering in-depth information on the actual impacts of the Denver Slaughterhouse Ban in three different languages. Those interested in joining the campaign or donating to the cause can visit stopthebanprotectjobs.com for more information.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
