AG COMMUNITIES STILL DEFYING GOVERNOR
Two Meat In events set for Brush, state’s largest in Sterling
Three years after Gov. Jared Polis proclaimed a “Meat Out Day” in Colorado, the response to his perceived attack on Colorado agriculture is still going strong.
“Meat In Day” events are planned for Saturday, March 18, in areas throughout the state.
In Sterling, the state’s largest crowd gathers at Sterling Livestock Commission, where hamburgers and hotdogs are served for a free will donation beginning at 11 a.m., while a live auction at 1 p.m. raises funds for a scholarship program, Angels of America’s Fallen, the Miracle Letter program and for other local causes. Sterling is the county seat of Logan County, the thirdleading agricultural county in Colorado, with an estimated $618 million economic impact to the state.
In 2021, then Commissioner and now Sen. Byron Pelton proclaimed the cause of the day in defiance to the governor: “Eat meat and eat lots of it. Do it every day.” On Tuesday, he joined his cousin and fellow Eastern Colorado Sen. Rod Pelton in proclaiming “Meat In Day” on the Colorado Senate floor and inviting senators to partake in events on the day.
Down the interstate in Brush, a rival to the attendance at Sterling’s event is the “United We Stand, Keeping Meat Great” event at Livestock Exchange from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Attendees are traditionally treated to free hamburgers, hotdogs and the trimmings by Livestock Exchange owner Robin Varelman,
the Brush Lions Club and the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association. A variety of speakers, vendors and entertainment are offered. One year, a Clydesdale team gave children rides around the parking lot. State Rep. Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, will again be a guest speaker. On Friday, March 17, a benefit steer auction will be offered at 1 p.m.
A hop and a skip down the road from Livestock Exchange in Brush, Eastside Liquor plans to again roast hotdogs for customers making any purchase on “Meat In Day”. Owner Bob and Jacque Christensen traditionally cook hotdogs on a metal bull grill which Bob says is one of only two he knows of in Colorado. Brush is located in eastern Morgan County, the fourth-leading agricultural county in Colorado, with an estimated $560 million economic impact to the state.
Two events will take place in Weld County, the leading agricultural county in Colorado, with an estimated $2 billion economic impact to the state.
“Meat In Day” events will be held in Bennett, Brush, Delta, Elizabeth, Grand Junction, Hotchkiss, Mead, Moffat County, Montrose, Ordway, Platteville, Poncha Springs, Sedgwick and Sterling, according to The Fence Post.
Gov. Polis has not proclaimed a “Meat Out Day” since the excessive backlash his proclamation received in 2021.