In the November 5th election, Denver voters rejected Ordinance 309 by a 65 percent margin. Promoted by Pro-Animal Future, a welfare advocacy group, the ordinance would have forced closure of Superior Farms, the only remaining slaughter plant within the City of Denver. Adoption of the ballot initiative would have displaced 160 workers and required alternative processing facilities for up to 1,500 lambs each working day. Ordinance 309 was supported by various welfare and pro-vegan entities that collectively raised $300,000 to support the initiative.
After an initial failure to actively oppose 309, civic organizations and the meat industry organized an aggressive campaign with the formation of groups including “Hands Off My Hat Denver” and “Stop the Ban, Protect Jobs” and “Local Food, Strong Denver”. Contributors to the opposition campaign included the Meat Institute, the Colorado Livestock Association, the American Sheep Industry Association and a substantial amount from Superior Farms, an employee-owned enterprise.
Concurrently, voters also rejected Ordinance 308 that would have banned the processing and sale of animal fur within Denver.
The response by civic organizations, labor unions and the meat industry to proposed Ordinance 309 is significant since organizations opposing meat processing will attempt to introduce bans affecting slaughter plants in other jurisdictions. The response by voters demonstrates a disinclination to respond to pro-vegan and woke ballot initiatives.