Denver Votes on Slaughterhouse Ban, Potentially Impacting Nation’s Lamb Industry

As Denver voters cast ballots on Election Day, a unique measure has gained national attention: the proposal to ban slaughterhouses within city limits starting in 2026.

The vote targets the construction, maintenance, and operation of slaughterhouses, with additional promises of workforce training for those impacted by the ban.

The initiative has sparked fierce debate, with industry representatives concerned about the broader economic and employment effects.

At the center of the issue is Superior Farms, Denver’s prominent lamb processing facility, which handles roughly 1,500 lambs per day.

As the largest lamb packer in the United States, Superior Farms employs 160 individuals, around 80% of whom are Denver residents. If the measure passes, many fear that job losses will ripple through the city and beyond.

A recent Colorado State University study highlights the potential economic hit: the ban could reduce Colorado’s economic activity by approximately $861 million, jeopardizing over 2,700 jobs.

Superior Farms alone contributes an estimated 15-20% of the national lamb harvest, which could shift out-of-state shipping costs onto Colorado’s meat industry, driving prices upward.

A coalition of industry groups has rallied in opposition, raising more than $2.4 million for the “Stop the Ban, Protect Jobs” campaign.

Notable contributors include Superior Farms, the Meat Institute, and the National Pork Producers Council. Campaign messaging underscores the idea that the proposal unfairly threatens a 70-year-old, employee-owned business.

On the other side, Pro-Animal Denver has garnered $339,000 in support of the ban. Their stance reflects growing concerns over animal welfare, spotlighting Denver as a potential leader in rethinking meat industry practices.

While the Democratic Party in Denver publicly opposed the measure, the outcome now rests with voters. The decision could reshape Denver’s regulatory landscape and alter the course of the U.S. lamb industry in significant ways.

Interested in how Denver’s proposed slaughterhouse ban could reshape the meat industry? Visit our homepage for updates and insights.