Opinion: A ban on fur in Denver would only hurt this thriving cow town

Denver is like no place else. We’re a “cow town” with a thriving food scene; a tech hub and a gateway to world-class recreation opportunities; sports teams, museums, brew pubs, and distilleries for everyone. We’ve hit on a formula for a world-class 21st-century city that honors its heritage. It’s no wonder boomers and Gen Z alike want to be here.

So why mess with success?

Unfortunately, some ideologues want to do just that. They have a scheme that would tear apart our heritage and what makes us a unique and desirable city. The backers of the initiative will tell you it’s no big deal, but when they put something on the ballot that will hurt the National Western Stock Show, the Denver Powwow, our fly-fishing businesses and hatmakers, that should rile us all up. Hands off our hats!

Initiated ordinance 308, the so-called “Denver Fur Ban,” on Denver’s November ballot seeks to prohibit the manufacture, distribution, display, and sale or trade of any animal fur products within the city and county of Denver. Its implications extend beyond the realm of ethics and into the heart of our community, traditions, and economy.

Initiated ordinance 308 is not just about fur coats or luxurious fashion items. This measure is extreme, threatening to devastate local businesses and industries that have deep roots in our community. From fly fishing gear made with natural materials to hatmakers crafting the iconic Western hats from animal byproducts (that would otherwise end up in a landfill) and limiting the ability of Native Americans to share and sell traditional crafts and goods, the ban would deal a crushing blow to these trades and traditions. These products are not mere commodities; they are cultural artifacts, symbols of our Western heritage, and essential components of the economy.

Consider the National Western Stock Show, a pillar of Colorado’s agricultural tradition and a major economic driver for the state. This event draws thousands of visitors, exhibitors, and buyers, generating millions of dollars in revenue for Denver and showcasing the best of Colorado agriculture. However, the proposed fur ban casts a long shadow over the future of this cherished event.

The stock show is a celebration of our agricultural roots, a marketplace for farmers and ranchers, and a multi-generational cultural touchstone for the Western way of life. The ban threatens to undermine this tradition. Livestock exhibitors, a crucial part of the stock show, have already expressed their reluctance to participate in the event if Denver enacts a law that effectively outlaws the products they rely on and cherish. This ban would signal a broader disregard for the industry.

The economic implications are staggering. Colorado’s agriculture sector generates a $47 billion annual economic impact. And according to a study by the Common Sense Institute, the stock show generates $171 million in economic benefit during its 16-day yearly run with over 700,000 people attending from all 50 states. The ripple effects of this ban could be catastrophic, for fur-related businesses and the entire agricultural community. The proposed ban could drive exhibitors, vendors, and visitors away from the National Western Stock Show, depriving Denver of significant revenue and jeopardizing the long-term viability of the event.

The consequences of this ban extend far beyond Denver and it is clear that this could serve as a blueprint for similar measures across the country. Such a precedent would spell disaster for the numerous sectors nationwide, threatening the livelihoods of countless Americans.