What One State Voter Initiative Could Mean for Rest of Country if Passed

Arguing that slaughterhouses are nuisances to nearby neighborhoods due to the odors they produce and that they are controversial due to the slaughtering of animals. Pro Animal Future has introduced a ballot measure that would ban slaughterhouses in the city and county of Denver. Colorado Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President, Erin Spaur says there is a lot of concern and a lot of attention being put on this issue.

“There's multiple signs from the proponents of the bill that this is just their testing grounds, and if passed or successful, they're going to try to take it statewide and nationwide as well.”

According to a Colorado State University Regional Economic Development Study, if Denver's ballot measure to ban slaughterhouses is approved by voters in November, it could cost Colorado's economy up to $861 million and impact nearly 3000 jobs. The study focused on Superior farms, this facility in Denver, which accounts for 15 to 20% of the total lamb harvest in the US. Spaur says they are part of a coalition fighting this campaign, and groups like CCA are concerned that if it can happen to a sheep slaughterhouse, it can happen to any livestock processing facility, and could impact slaughterhouses in any other county

“forming the opposition coalition- we're currently doing right now.”

If The facility shuts down, it is likely to substantially impact the US-based lamp supply chain, according to the study.