Economic Realitites If Colorado Amendment 309 Is Adopted

On November 5, Denver voters will decide whether to adopt an ordinance to ban meat production facilities in Denver (Colorado Amendment 309)(the "Ban"). If adopted, beginning January 1, 2026, the Ban will prohibit the construction, maintenance, or use of meat production facilities within the City and will require the City to prioritize residents whose employment is affected by the ordinance in workforce training or employment assistance programs. The Ban will singularly impact Superior Farms, an employee-owned USDA-inspected meat production facility. Superior Farms operates the only meat production facility in Denver. It has processed and packaged lambs and lamb meat at its location near the Platte River and Western Stock Show complex since the 1950s. Superior Farms accounts for 15-20% of the total lamb processing in the United States. If the ordinance passes, Superior Farms would be forced to close its Denver facility. The impact of this closure is significant because