This November, Denver voters will be asked to ban slaughterhouses in the City of Denver. What many may not realize is that there is only one USDA-inspected slaughterhouse in Denver that processes lamb locally. Under the guise of animal welfare, this ballot initiative targets that one employee-owned business and would eliminate the jobs of the 160 hardworking employees, potentially leading to a significant economic downturn in the area. In my 24-year career with the Colorado Wool Growers Association, I have had the opportunity to visit slaughterhouses and see firsthand the humane harvesting practices for both sheep and cattle. Livestock, poultry, and fish are harvested to provide essential nutrients in our diets (only 4% of the U.S.