On behalf of more than 120 members of the Rocky Mountain Bison Association (RMBA), the RMBA Board of Directors adamantly oppose the City and County of Denver ballot initiative titled “Prohibition of Slaughterhouses.”
This ballot initiative will ask: “Shall the voters of the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance prohibiting slaughterhouses, and, in connection, beginning January 1, 2026, prohibiting the construction, maintenance, or use of slaughterhouses within the City; and requiring the City to prioritize residents whose employment is affected by the ordinance in workforce training or employment assistance programs?”
This proposal is an all-out ban of processing facilities, making it illegal to operate current facilities, disallowing any construction or maintenance, and prohibiting the building of new facilities.
In July of 2023, RMBA issued a statement opposing this ballot initiative that was picked up by several agricultural news outlets. Much to our disappointment, Denver residents will now vote on this in November 2024.
This ban will directly eliminate 160 well paying jobs at a local employee-owned business that has operated for over 70 years. It will have collateral negative effects on countless other jobs in the ranching, trucking, and distribution industries, while also increasing prices for consumers, with continued negative affects for retailers and restaurants. An economic study conducted by Colorado State University estimates this ban would see a negative impact of $861 million in economic activity and 2,787 jobs lost.
The petitioners for the ballot initiative cite a desire to “move society to a plant-based food system” as their motive. If passed, this would negatively impact more people than it would serve. To even consider this ballot initiative is to send a strong message that agriculture and livestock are not welcome in Denver, and that niche mindsets or the “loudest voice” takes priority. RMBA urges you not to start down a path that jeopardizes the wellbeing of not only the rural community, but the economic health of Colorado, and therefore its citizens.
Join Stop The Ban. Protect Jobs. to fight this from passing. www.stopthebanprotectjobs.com
This initiative is short sighted and wrong for the city, the county, and the state.
Sincerely,
John Graves, RMBA President
On behalf of the Rocky Mountain Bison Association (RMBA) Board