As Election Day approaches, review each candidates views on key issues affecting livestock agriculture, including; animal welfare, immigration, Colorado Water Plan and others.
Listed below are the position statements from the candidates official websites at the time of publication. Colorado Livestock Association does not endorse either candidate for Governor.
Animal Welfare
Jared Polis:
“In 2008, Colorado passed landmark legislation improving livestock confinement practices. I believe that ten years later, it’s time to revisit that law to make sure we are consistent with the most humane and up-to-date livestock confinement practices for all animals. For example, Colorado produces over 100 million eggs per year, and healthier hens produce healthier eggs. Chickens that have sufficient room to walk, stretch their wings, and socialize live longer and produce more eggs. To reduce the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria, we will direct the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture to identify and encourage best practices to prevent the overuse of antibiotics on farm animals.”
Read the full statement on Polis for Colorado
Walker Stapleton:
CLA was unable to find a statement on the Stapleton for Colorado website on animal welfare.
Immigration
Jared Polis:
“During my time in Congress, I have been a staunch advocate for the rights of immigrant workers in our state, and I will continue in that tradition as governor. From calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to end their raids of meat-processing plants, to pushing for the Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill, I have strongly fought against policies that rip families apart and do harm to local communities and their economies.
Currently, too many Colorado farmers and ranchers are having trouble securing a reliable workforce. We will represent the state’s farmers and ranchers in advocating for commonsense immigration reform that reforms the H2A visa program that clear red-tape, reduce costs, and improves workforce predictability and retention.”
Read the full statement on Polis for Colorado
Walker Stapleton:
“The proliferation of so-called ‘Sanctuary Cities’ is a direct threat to public safety and rule of law in Colorado. These policies have put new challenges in front of our law enforcement community who have now been told by certain jurisdictions to ignore federal immigration laws. No Sheriff, Police Chief or any of our public safety officer should EVER be fearful of retaliation or litigation simply for upholding their oath office to ensure public safety in Colorado.”
Read the full statement on Stapleton for Colorado
Colorado’s Water Plan
Jared Polis:
“My administration will put us on a long-term path to sustainably funding and implementing the Colorado Water Plan. We will limit the use of buy-and-dry and increase storage capacity, while taking advantage of opportunities provided by alternative transfer methods (ATMs). This idea is not without controversy; farmers and ranchers who are skeptical of ATMs have every right to be. So, let me state my administration will always seek a balanced approach to managing population growth while supporting agriculture production. ”
Read the full statement on Polis for Colorado
Walker Stapleton:
“I commend Governor Hickenlooper and the stakeholders who came together to draft the plan. However, it will be my responsibility as Colorado’s next Governor to implement the plan; incentivizing water conservation and developing more storage. The water plan relies on our energy industry, which is why Colorado needs a Governor who believes in an all-of-the-above energy policy. Agriculture accounts for 89% of Colorado’s water usage, which is why it is so crucial we get this right.”
Read the full statement on Stapleton for Colorado
View the full list of issues on each candidates website by clicking on a link below.
Jared Polis for Colorado     Walker Stapleton for Colorado
