The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Senator Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, has an early victory in the resumed 2021 legislative session, with a bill on allowing consumers to buy a share of a livestock animal for meat directly from a producer. Senate Bill 79 won unanimous approval from a Senate committee on Feb. 22 and a 34-0 vote from the full Senate on March 1. It now heads to the House.

The bill was reviewed by the Senate Health & Human Services Committee and applies to cows, sheep and hogs. An amendment offered on Feb. 22 added bison and goats. The bill excludes fish and chickens.

Sonnenberg told the committee that “during the pandemic we’ve learned people want to learn more about where their food comes from and how to access food from a rancher.”

This is a share program, Sonnenberg explained. If someone wants to own part of a cow, sheep or hog before it’s harvested, it can be sold for that purpose, and that sale bypasses inspection by a public health agency, such as United States Department of Agriculture. The sSate Department of Agriculture still inspects the processing facility, according to witness testimony. 

That sale can take place so long as the seller gives the consumer a document or conspicuously displays a disclaimer regarding the animal’s exemption from State regulation and inspection; the sale does not involve interstate commerce; and the meat, animal or animal share is sold in Colorado and delivered directly to the end consumer. The meat is delivered to the end consumer frozen, Sonnenberg said. 

“This is a make-sense bill creating income for ranchers and learning experiences for 4-H children,” said Sen. Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins. “This type of processing will save money, not just for the rancher or farmer but also for the consumer, very important in this day and time.”

Sonnenberg took some ribbing from his Senate colleagues during debate on the bill on Feb. 26.

Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs and a lawyer, asked for Sonnenberg’s take on meat temperature during discussion of a technical amendment sought by the trial lawyers. “As a lawyer, is medium rare adequate cooking? Is it overcooking?”

“With this language, it doesn’t matter,” Sonnenberg replied. “You can cook it however you want. If you want it rare and you drag that cow across the grill and then eat it, that’s fine too. This allows you to do it any way you want,” he said, laughing. 

“I have family members who love steak tartare,” Gardner said. “This is a comfort to us.”

Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, noted that he grew up in Kansas with a similar model. But he ribbed Sonnenberg about including a safety clause, which would make the bill law upon the Governor’s signature. Sonnenberg is not a fan of safety clauses and has railed against them in the past. Sonnenberg acknowledged that he had added the safety clause instead of a petition clause, which would allow voters to challenge the law. “I apologize to the voters of Colorado,” he rued. 

Gardner rose to Sonnenberg’s defense. “The health of many Coloradans relies on being able to purchase beef on the hoof,” he said. 

But the laughs ended when Sonnenberg went to the Senate podium later in the day about a proclamation issued by Gov. Jared Polis, declaring March 20 as “MeatOut” Day. Sonnenberg said the proclamation encourages Coloradans to eat what he called processed plants disguised as meat, reading off a long list of ingredients. March 20 is just four days before Colorado Ag Day, which Polis usually attends. 

The Polis proclamation says that “removing animal products from our diets reduces the risk of various ailments, including heart disease, high-blood pressure, stroke, various cancers, and diabetes; and a plant-based diet helps protect the environment by reducing our carbon footprint, preserving forests, grasslands and wildlife habitats and reduces pollution of waterways. A growing number of people are reducing their meat consumption to help prevent animal cruelty; and since MeatOut was launched in 1985, more than 35 million Americans have explored a plant-based diet and reduced their consumption of meat, dairy and eggs … major food manufacturers and national franchises are marketing more vegan options in response to this growing demand.”

The proclamation added that “Colorado is the proud home to farmers and ranchers alike and we recognize the importance of agriculture in the State. And then immediately after proclaimed March 20 as “MeatOut” Day.

The proclamation has generated outrage statewide, including from the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, which is encouraging a Beef Day on March 20 to encourage the purchase of beef.

Sonnenberg said the proclamation is part of the national perception against Colorado ag and negative policies toward ag by the Polis administration . He noted a Hereford association has referred to the proclamation as “the last straw” and is considering going to Oklahoma City in January rather than the National Western Stock Show. 

“That’s unacceptable,” Sonnenberg shouted. “We can't have leadership in this State throw the number two industry in this state under the bus ... yes, I’m angry,” he said. “It’s my business. It’s my neighbor’s business and it’s the district I represent.” The one positive, Sonnenberg said, is that in the last 24 hours, county commissioners have started drafting resolutions in support for creating a local March 20 Beef Day. 

“I’m asking you to stand up for agriculture,” Sonnenberg pleaded with the Senate, and to be a part of the solution so we can bridge that gap as ranchers and farmers produce the food, fiber and energy that this State and country and world needs.”

Polis was asked about the uproar during a Feb. 26 news conference. He said that since day one, he’s looked for ways to expand markets for Colorado beef, such as in Taiwan. He also said he’s toured Colorado ranches and when he was quarantined for a positive COVID-19 test, he learned to cook “underappreciated” cuts of beef, such as flank.

"I'll put my brisket up against anyone's," he said.

Polis’ office later noted that then-Gov. John Hickenlooper also passed a proclamation for MeatOut Day in 2011.

In the coming week, the General Assembly will begin reviewing bills on firearms storage and thefts. Under House Bill 1106, firearms must be securely stored, either by carrying it, keeping it in a locked gun safe or other secure container or installing a locking device.

Failing to safely secure a firearm carries a misdemeanor penalty. The bill is sponsored by Reps. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge and Kyle Mullica, R-Northglenn.

A second bill, Senate Bill 78, requires anyone who owns a firearm to report its loss or theft to law enforcement within five days after discovering the firearm is missing. The bill also includes misdemeanor penalties for failure to report. The bill’s sponsors are Sens. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont.