Submitted by Barb Howe
President Mile Hi Cattlewomen
Mile Hi Cattlewomen, a group of Colorado women working hard to advocate for beef and the agricultural industry in our six counties of Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson and Park counties, strongly endorses a no vote on Denver’s Citizen-Initiated Ordinance 309, the ban on slaughterhouses.
“Agriculture touches every person in every part of our lives, whether directly involved or not. Whatever you are eating, wearing, using—something comes from Ag,” said Barb Howe, a representative of the group. “If they ban this facility, what’s next?” There is only one business being targeted by this ban, and Mile Hi Cattlewomen believe that it is wrong to single out a single business through a ballot measure. Superior Farms is employee-owned and provides high-quality meat to local restaurants and vendors. Denver’s only slaughterhouse also produces Halal certified meat, which is based on humane treatment throughout the entire lifecycle of the animal in accordance with Muslim religious traditions. It was designed in consultation with world-renowned animal welfare expert Temple Grandin.
If the ban is passed by voters this November, it will close down the facility permanently, eliminating 160 jobs. While the economic loss related to the ban is not fully known, some estimates rank it as high $861M, with the additional cost of shipping in meat from out of state passed directly on to consumers. A ban could also threaten more than 2,700 jobs including independent ranchers, truckers, distributors, retailers, butchers, and restaurant owners and employees. “The agricultural industry is the backbone of Colorado, and these jobs are worth fighting for,” said Barb Howe. “We urge Denver voters to stand with workers and vote no on this unfair ban.”
Learn more about the No On 309 campaign here: www.stopthebanprotectjobs.com