Tell Governor Polis we need his support on “Animal Shares!”

Just In! The Colorado Legislature just passed SB21-079 (“Deregulate Meat Sales Direct To Consumers”). It passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. Western Colorado Alliance has spent the last several months researching and organizing to help the passage of this bill. Since last summer, we saw our food distribution channels stressed to the point of breaking, and essential meat plant workers were exposed to COVID. Empty grocery shelves have forced people to recognize there needs to be a change in how we gain access to our food. 

Our Alliance supports the thoughtful deregulation of the meat processing industry to open up markets for healthier, locally sourced proteins while also protecting public heath and consumer choice. Currently, wait times are too long for local ranchers to get their meat processed and purchase quantities are too high for the general consumer. This bill allows for a consumer to purchase a portion of a herd and to buy smaller portions of meat, directly from a rancher, without the burden of an on-site USDA inspector while also ensuring food safety.  

Animal shares have only one more hurdle to pass. We are asking you to email Governor Jared Polis and let him know how important animal shares are to our community. The passage of this bill will help strengthen the local economy, and make for a healthier community.