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AURORA, Colo. – The Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) welcomed a record-breaking crowd of more than 200 livestock producers, agribusiness partners, policymakers, and industry leaders to its 2026 Annual Meeting, held June 8–9 at the Monarch Casino Resort & Spa in Black Hawk. The meeting theme, “150 Years of Colorado Agriculture, 250 Years of American Legacy,” celebrated the rich history and enduring impact of agriculture in Colorado and across the nation.

The two-day event provided an opportunity for members to engage in meaningful discussions about the opportunities and challenges facing Colorado agriculture.

Monday’s agenda featured CLA Council meetings, a State of the Industry Town Hall led by CLA’s officer team, and breakout sessions on key topics, including a market outlook, estate planning, and biosecurity.

Council members elected Britt Pratt, McEndaffer Cattle Co., Merino, as Feeder Council Chair and reaffirmed Erik Blaser, Long Meadow Farm, Greeley, as Dairy Council Chair; Kelsey Pope, Solid Rock Red Angus, Limon, as Producer Council Chair; Roc Rutledge, Triple R Farms, Yuma as Swine Council Chair; and Todd Sigmon, Elanco Animal Health, Fleming as Industry Partner Council Chair.

The Welcome Reception and Colorado’s Finest Celebration featured a variety of beef, pork, dairy, and lamb, showcasing the best of Colorado agriculture. The evening provided valuable opportunities for producers, industry partners, and stakeholders to connect and strengthen relationships across the livestock sector.

The evening also included a Rooftop Laws Whiskey tasting, where participants enjoyed a curated selection of bourbon and rye while supporting the Colorado Livestock Association’s Industry Preservation Fund. The event raised money for the fund, which supports critical industry initiatives including litigation, ballot initiative advocacy, public relations efforts, and disaster recovery assistance when needed.

A highlight of the meeting was the keynote address by Dr. Gbola Adesogan, Associate Vice President and Director of the Global Food Systems Institute at the University of Florida. Dr. Adesogan shared insights on global food security, sustainable livestock production, and the critical role animal agriculture plays in addressing nutrition challenges worldwide.

During the Annual Membership Meeting, CLA members heard reports regarding the strong state of the Association’s finances and the successes and challenges of the legislative session. The members installed the following slate of officers and directors for leadership:

• President — Britt Dinis, Empire Dairy, Wiggins (two-year term)
• President-Elect — Justin Miller, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding (two-year term)
• Treasurer — Brett Rutledge, Triple R Farms, Yuma (one-year term)
• Director — Kristie Docheff, Blue Sky Dairy, Mead (three-year term)
• Director — Logan Hardin, Cactus Feeders, Burlington (three-year term)
• Director — Ryan Peterson, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LaSalle (three-year term)
• Director — David Arias, Seaboard Foods, Holyoke (one-year term)
• Industry Partner Council Ex-Officio Board Representative — Wes Stribling, Merck Animal Health, Rye (one-year term)

CLA recognized and thanked the following outgoing leaders for their leadership to the Association: Immediate Past President Kenny Rogers, Wagon Wheel Ranch, Yuma; Director Luke Larson, Ordway Feedyard, Ordway; Director Ian Mackay, Seaboard Foods, Holyoke; Feeder Council Chair Logan Hardin, Cactus Feeders, Burlington; and Dairy Council Chair Erik Mohrlang, Feldpausch Holsteins, Brush.

Members also participated in a federal policy panel discussion examining issues impacting protein producers, including labor, trade, Prop 12, and Farm Bill 2.0.

The meeting concluded with the Past President’s luncheon, where CLA celebrated the combined 70+ years of leadership through the Colorado Cattle Feeders’ Association and the Colorado Livestock Association. Congressman Gabe Evans was recognized as CLA’s 2026 Legislator of the Year for his support of Colorado agriculture and rural communities.

CLA also presented its prestigious Top Choice Award to longtime CEO Bill Hammerich in recognition of his decades of service to Colorado agriculture and more than 20 years of dedicated leadership of the Association. Outgoing President Kory Kessinger delivered his final address, reflecting on the accomplishments of the past year and encouraging continued member engagement in the work ahead.

CLA extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose support helped make the 2026 Annual Meeting a success. Their partnership allows the Association to provide high-quality educational programming, advocacy, and networking opportunities that strengthen Colorado’s livestock industry.

The Association looks forward to welcoming members to the 2027 CLA Annual Meeting, scheduled for June 14–15, 2027, in Keystone, Colorado.

About the Colorado Livestock Association

The Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) is a membership-driven organization representing Colorado’s dairy, cattle, sheep, and swine producers, as well as the agribusinesses that support them. For more than 25 years, CLA has provided a unified voice for livestock agriculture, advancing the interests of its members through advocacy, education, environmental stewardship, and industry leadership. The Association works on behalf of livestock producers and the public to address key legislative and regulatory issues affecting Colorado agriculture.

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