Advocates argue for and against Denver slaughterhouse ban

DENVER (KDVR) — A broad group of stakeholders came together to oppose a ballot initiative to ban slaughterhouses in Denver. Both sides of the issue acknowledged that it would do much more than that if passed.

“Residents that work in Globeville at Superior Farms, their families rely on this business. We as a community rely on this business,” District 9 City Council Member Darrell Watson said.

City council members Watson and Kevin Flynn, chefs and livestock advocates all came together to urge voters to oppose Initiative 309. That ballot question calls for a ban on the operation of slaughterhouses in Denver.

“We are the only slaughter facility house in Denver. Yes, yes,” said Isabel Bautista, operations manager and employee-owner at Superior Farms.

While Superior Farms in Globeville is the only slaughterhouse in Denver now, supporters said they want to prevent similar operations in the future.

“We see it as not just targeting one business but really the entire meat industry, the entire system of industrialized animal agriculture that is causing a lot issues around the country, especially to the 10 billion animals that are slaughtered in the U.S. every year. We see this as a starting point to moving away from that industry,” said Natalie Fulton, Pro-Animal Future spokesperson.

According to the American Sheep Association, Colorado is third among states in the nation that produced the most lamb and mutton, with Superior accounting for 15%-20% of overall lamb processing in the United States. Opponents said the effects of this measure would reach far beyond Denver.

“This goes beyond the city and county of Denver, the state even,” said Kenny Rogers of the Colorado Livestock Association. “It goes regional because there are so many sheep producers who will bring their lambs here for harvesting at the slaughter plant. So they will be impacted, they will have to go clear into L.A. or down into Texas to get the same thing done.”

Study: 2,700 jobs could be lost with Initiative 309

A study out of Colorado State University found there would be a loss of more than 2,700 jobs, after accounting for multiplier effects, if the measure passes. Supporters of the initiative acknowledge the impact but are urging the city to help farm workers.

“Slaughterhouse workers have higher rates of PTSD, substance abuse, and it’s a really tough industry to work in due to the unique psychological distress caused by killing animals all day,” said Fulton, with Pro-Animal Future. “We included a provision in our legislation that would require the city of Denver to prioritize affected workers in their employment assistance program. We’re confident that workers will land on their feet and get better jobs than working in a slaughterhouse.”

“From my perspective, the truth is not being said to the people,” said Bautista, with Superior Farms. “I think there is more that they have to know about Superior Farms and the process of the ship. We work under USDA inspection, we have multiple audits, there is nothing to hide. But honestly, there is more education that needs to happen for them to understand how this company operates.”

“Honestly, I don’t think they could care one wit about the employees there,” said Rogers, with the Colorado Livestock Association. “For them, it’s a much larger perspective. As I said just a minute ago, they’re going after animal agriculture and trying to eliminate that.”

If the initiative passes, business owners would have some time to readjust. It would take effect January 2026.

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