This November, Denver residents will face a pivotal decision: whether to pass a measure outlawing animal slaughter plants within the city limits, effective January 2026.

The proposed initiative reads:

"Should the voters of the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance prohibiting slaughterhouses, thereby prohibiting the construction, maintenance, or use of such facilities within the city starting January 1, 2026? Additionally, should the city prioritize residents affected by this ordinance in workforce training or employment assistance programs?"

This ballot measure stems from the efforts of an animal rights group, who argue that slaughterhouses have negative implications for animals, workers, neighborhoods, and the environment. Their campaign urges Denverites to consider supporting the phase-out of these facilities.

In Colorado, special interest groups can influence state laws through signature collection, circumventing the traditional legislative process. In this case, the animal rights group garnered approximately 31,000 signatures, often solicited by friendly collectors outside grocery stores and event venues.

Notably, Denver hosts only one animal slaughter facility within its boundaries – Superior Lamb. As the sole lamb harvesting facility remaining in Colorado, its potential closure could significantly impact the availability of Colorado lamb nationwide, affecting restaurants and retail stores alike. And what about all the lambs raised in Colorado and the region? Where will they go?

Yet, this measure raises concerns about the broader implications of banning slaughterhouses and the potential limitations it imposes on food choice.

I fear this will set a precedent that restricts food choices for all. While folks have every right to skip the meat for their own reasons, trying to push those beliefs onto everyone else? That's just plain wrong.

I don’t agree with Governor Ron DeSantis' recent decision to outlaw lab-grown meat production in Florida. Despite the rise of lab-grown meat and plant-based alternatives, the meat industry remains resilient. This is a legislative restriction of free food choices in an open marketplace, and is also plain wrong.

We need to safeguard the variety of food choices available in the marketplace while respecting individuals' right to abstain from consuming certain foods for personal reasons.

Looking ahead, if the Denver ballot measure passes, what’s next? Could USDA-inspected further processors of all meats become the next targets? With over 30 such companies in Denver, the potential impact extends beyond slaughterhouses to include steak cutting, burger production, and sausage making.

To underscore the importance of this issue, I recently hosted two professors from CSU on my podcast, Food Chat. Their insights shed light on the ramifications of this measure if passed. The episode is available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, any podcast app or by going to foodchat.us

The Debate Over Banning Slaughterhouses in Denver

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