Denver Slaughterhouse Ban: Economic and Ethical Impacts Explored – A Traditionalist’s Perspective on Food Supply and Agriculture

I grew up working the ranches and feedlots around LaSalle, Colorado. I know the smell of bullsh!t. I have been waist deep in it. What’s wafting north to Johnstown from the once great CowTown known as Denver smells a lot like the toils of my youth. The Denver Slaughterhouse Ban is so ridiculous an idea that the Boards of County Commissioners from Weld, Larimer, and Boulder counties – normally miles apart ideologically, have joined together to oppose this nonsense.

But I need to temper myself. You may not be aware of what is going on. So let me be objective for a moment and give you the details.

Denver Slaughterhouse Ban: An Objective Overview

The proposed Denver Slaughterhouse Ban, known as Initiated Ordinance 309, seeks to prohibit the construction and operation of slaughterhouses within Denver’s city limits starting in 2026. This proposal directly targets Superior Farms, Denver’s only slaughterhouse and one of the largest lamb processing facilities in the United States. Superior Farms processes approximately 300,000 lambs annually, contributing significantly to Colorado’s lamb and sheep industry, which is one of the largest in the country. (Weld County is NUMBER ONE in the nation in the production of sheep and goats.)

Pros of the Ban:

1. Animal Welfare: Proponents argue that the ban would reduce cruelty to animals. Organizations like Pro-Animal Future highlight that slaughterhouses subject animals to inhumane conditions, including inadequate stunning before slaughter (Farm Sanctuary) (The Colorado Sun). They see this ban as a step toward more ethical treatment of animals.
2. Environmental Impact: Advocates claim that reducing animal agriculture can help mitigate climate change by cutting down on emissions from the slaughter process. Additionally, they argue that local air and water quality would improve by eliminating harmful discharges from the facility into Denver’s South Platte River (The Colorado Sun).
3. Community Health: Many residents near the Superior Farms facility, particularly in the Globeville neighborhood, have complained about the smell, noise, and pollution. The ban could improve the quality of life for these communities, which are often low-income and minority populations (The Colorado Sun).

Cons of the Ban:

1. Economic Impact: The closure of Superior Farms could result in a loss of up to 2,787 jobs and over $860 million in economic activity if operations are moved out of state. The slaughterhouse industry supports many related jobs in transportation, farming, and retail sectors (Common Sense Institute). While the ban includes provisions for job retraining, there is skepticism about the effectiveness of these programs (The Colorado Sun).
2. Supply Chain Disruption: Superior Farms accounts for 15-20% of the national lamb processing capacity. Shutting down this facility could strain the lamb supply chain, leading to higher meat prices and supply shortages. The Colorado agricultural sector, particularly sheep farming, could face significant setbacks (The Colorado Sun) (Common Sense Institute).
3. Environmental Paradox: While proponents argue that the ban would reduce emissions, opponents suggest that outsourcing slaughter operations to other locations could increase emissions due to longer transportation routes. Additionally, relocating the industry could lead to new facilities being constructed, further increasing the environmental footprint (Common Sense Institute).

I held my nose and was objective. Now here’s what I think…

Now that we’ve laid out the objective facts, let me get to the heart of it. If you’re like me—you know, normal, with at least a little common sense—you’ve probably rolled your eyes at some of these so-called “progressive” measures. Denver’s proposed ban on slaughterhouses? It’s just the latest in a string of out-of-touch ideas that seem more concerned with appearances than with real-world consequences.

I’m no stranger to the ethics of food production, but let’s not kid ourselves—banning slaughterhouses in Denver won’t stop people from eating meat. It’ll just send the jobs, and the meat, somewhere else. (Again, Weld County is number one nationally in the production of Sheep and Goats, Number two nationally in cattle and calves. It’s hard for me not to take this personally.)

Meanwhile, the hardworking folks in Denver—some of the very people who need these jobs the most—will be left out in the cold. We’re talking about hundreds of people losing their livelihoods, not to mention the ripple effect across Colorado’s (mainly Weld County’s) agricultural sector.

But what really rubs me raw is the disconnect between the people pushing this ban and the reality of food production. Have these folks ever set foot on a farm or in a processing plant? (That was rhetorical, I know the answer.) Do they even know where their food comes from? It’s easy to vote for a ban when you’re sitting in your comfortable urban apartment (paid for by your parents), removed from the grit and sweat of the people who make sure there’s food on your table. Out in the real world, ideals don’t put food on the table.

Let’s be honest—this ban is more than just about ethics. It’s a broader reflection of a growing sentiment that’s increasingly anti-agriculture. Denver’s economy has always had strong ties to agriculture, nonetheless Weld County, and the loss of slaughterhouses would undermine an entire industry that’s vital not just to the city but to the country.

So, where does this lead us? If we ban slaughterhouses today, what’s next? Ranches? Farms? (You will eat the bugs…) It’s a slippery slope, and one that risks disconnecting us from the very values that built this country—hard work, responsibility, the understanding that nothing comes easy, and a respect and stewardship of the land and animals over which God gave us dominion.

In short, we’re standing at a crossroads. We can either choose to uphold the industries (and deeper still, the values) that have sustained us for generations, or we can bow to the pressures of a loud but disconnected minority. For those of us who still believe in the power of tradition, work ethic, and common sense, the choice is clear. Let’s keep the slaughterhouses, keep the jobs, and keep our heads on straight while we’re at it.