FAQ from the Public

Common questions you might face while petitioning.

Fur Ban

Q: Why should we ban the sale of fur products?

95 percent of fur products come from animals raised in fur farms, where they are kept in small cages and endure extreme suffering. The small number that are trapped endure tremendous suffering as well. In today’s world we have access to a wide range of clothing options, and killing animals just for a fashion statement is completely unnecessary and cruel.

Q: Are there any places that currently sell fur products in Denver?

There are at least 5 stores in Denver that sell a significant amount of fur products. We encourage them to transition their businesses to other clothing options.

Q: What kinds of fur products would be banned under this legislation? Would this apply to things like wool, sheepskin, cowhides, etc?

This policy would not apply to wool, sheepskin, cowhides, leather, or any fur product from an animal defined as “Livestock” under the Colorado Revised Statutes. This policy is designed to target fur products from animals typically used for their fur, such as Minks, Chinchillas, Foxes, Coyotes, Rabbits, etc.

Q: Would this apply to second-hand fur products?

No, this legislation would not apply to the sale of used fur products at second-hand clothing stores.

Q: What should we use instead of fur? Isn’t faux fur bad for the environment?

There is a wide range of natural, plant-based clothing options available. The use of any fur, whether it came from an animal, or it is faux fur, is not necessary.

Q: How would this policy affect Indigenous cultures?

This policy exempts fur products purchased for traditional tribal, cultural, or spiritual purposes by a member of a federally recognized or state-recognized Native American tribe.

Slaughterhouse Ban

Q: Why should we ban slaughterhouses?

There are several reasons why. Slaughterhouses are bad for neighborhoods, bad for workers, bad for the environment, and bad for animals. It is time for our society to transition to a more humane and sustainable food system, and banning slaughterhouses in our city is one step in the right direction.*

*Note: read the "About the Campaigns" section for more details about this response.

Q: Are there any slaughterhouses in Denver?

There is only one slaughterhouse in Denver, Superior Farms, which slaughters around 2,000 lambs daily. This slaughterhouse is located in a highly polluted neighborhood, 80216, one of the most polluted zip codes in the United States.

Q: What about the workers? Are there any provisions in the proposed legislation to help the slaughterhouse workers transition to other jobs?

There is a provision in the proposed legislation directing the City to prioritize any slaughterhouse employees affected by the legislation in considering any employment assistance programs operated by the City, including those provisioned by the Climate Action Fund.

Q: What will happen to the land where the current slaughterhouse is located if it closes?

Suppose land currently occupied by the slaughterhouse becomes vacant. In that case, any developer who seeks to re-develop the land will likely be required to develop the land in accordance with the City’s long-term plan, known as Blueprint Denver.

The land where the current slaughterhouse is located is designated to become a “Community Center”, typically involving a balance of residential, employment, and dining/shopping uses. They are accessible to a larger area of surrounding neighborhood users by various transportation options. They are often connected through dedicated bike facilities, transit priority streets, or rail service. They incorporate open spaces to promote social interaction and respond to the distinct uses within the center. Trees, plants, and green infrastructure provide moments of relief from the more intense activity.

This transition from industrial uses to a mixed-use community center is anticipated to be extremely beneficial to the surrounding neighborhood. We advocate for the inclusion of the local community in the redevelopment of this area, and we want to draw particular attention to the need for more affordable housing in this neighborhood.

We want affordable houses, not slaughterhouses.

Q: Wouldn’t slaughterhouses move out of town?

Banning slaughterhouses in our city is one step in the right direction toward a more humane and sustainable food system.

Q: What if I like to eat animals?

Many people who eat animals also recognize the need for our society to transition away from factory farming and slaughterhouses. This legislation isn't about anyone's personal eating habits. Instead, it addresses our society as a whole and serves as a step toward a collective evolution away from such industries.