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AURORA, Colo. — The Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) is proud to announce that William “Bill” Hammerich has been named the recipient of the 2026 Top Choice Award, recognizing his decades of leadership, advocacy, and service to Colorado’s livestock industry. The award will be presented at the CLA Annual Meeting in Black Hawk on June 8–9.

Hammerich served as Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Livestock Association for 20 years before retiring in 2022. During his tenure, he was a leading advocate for livestock producers at both the state and federal levels, helping shape legislative and regulatory policy on issues impacting agriculture across Colorado and the nation.

His vision and support for initiatives that advanced the efficiency, safety, sustainability, and productivity of livestock operations helped strengthen Colorado’s reputation as a national leader in animal agriculture.

“Nobody exemplifies the Colorado Livestock Association quite like Bill Hammerich,” said Kory Kessinger, President of the Colorado Livestock Association. “His two decades of leadership defined the association, and his impact on the industry is still felt today. Bill recognized early on that livestock producers needed to be at the table. He led our efforts to have a seat at the table and made significant contributions to the development of regulations and legislation that we still practice today. Bill led efforts from air and water quality to the health and safety of ag employees and livestock. I am proud that we can recognize Bill for all that he has contributed to our industry.”

Hammerich grew up on a cattle and farming operation in Western Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics. Following graduation, he worked with Monfort of Colorado, Farr Feeders, and the Sparks Companies before joining CLA in 2002.

His years in the cattle feeding industry gave him a deep understanding not only of livestock production, but also of the importance of environmental stewardship and responsible resource management.

In recognition of his contributions to agriculture, Hammerich was named the 2017 Colorado State University Animal Science Livestock Leader and inducted into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2024.

“It was impossible to come up in the agriculture industry and not hear the name Bill Hammerich,” said Travis Grant, CEO of the Colorado Livestock Association. “Bill is a legend in his own right, able to quietly lead, while others barked it out in a dog fight. I’ve never heard a bad word uttered about Bill, and everyone I meet reminds me of the big shoes that Bill left to be filled. The Colorado Livestock Association would not be what it is today without Bill’s stalwart dedication to the agriculture industry and the Colorado Livestock Association.”

Bill and his wife, Sabrina, reside in Severance, Colorado. They have two grown children, Justin and Jessica, and four grandsons.

The Top Choice Award is presented annually by the Colorado Livestock Association to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Colorado’s livestock industry and agricultural community.

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