Colorado Livestock Leaders Advocate in D.C.

Colorado Livestock Association leadership joined the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and many of the other state affiliates, in Washington, D.C. for a strong grassroots advocacy effort, ahead of key votes. Kory Kessinger, President, along with staff members Travis Grant and Brittany Dennison, represented CLA. In conjunction with our partners at the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado’s delegation of CLA and CCA members sat down with 9 of the 10 offices of Colorado’s Congressional Delegation. In each meeting, discussions focused on ensuring that producers can operate in an environment that addresses the high input costs and environmental risks they face, while providing the consistency and predictability that are key to long-term planning.

The timing of the meetings were key to address our support for two pieces of legislation that will be considered by the House of Representatives in the near future; the Endangered Species Amendment Act, to revise the process for wildlife to be delisted from the ESA when they have met recovery targets, and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, known as the Farm Bill 2.0, which is the long overdue 5-year farm bill featuring language to correct Proposition 12’s impositions on the pork industry and the dangerous precedent that it established. Additionally, discussions focused on the challenges in labor that the industry faces, the Colorado River compact and the significant drought that Colorado is facing, and the importance of free and fair trade.

In addition to being on the Hill, CLA and the other affiliates engaged with representatives from various agencies within USDA and the EPA. CLA staff engaged in a productive conversation with EPA representatives about the discharges at the center of the ongoing lawsuit challenging Colorado’s CAFO general permit.

The Colorado Livestock Association’s leadership within the industry was on full display in Washington, D.C. this week. Past and current members of the CLA Board were present in D.C., representing other species and commodity organizations, including pork and dairy. Broad and consistent advocacy efforts like this are a testament to the grassroots leadership within CLA and to its efforts to improve the livestock industry.