Manny Rutinel’s Evolving Stance on Ranching and the Meat Industry in Colorado

Manny Rutinel, a state legislator in Colorado and Democratic candidate for Congress in the 8th Congressional District, has a notable history of activism against industries related to animal products. This is significant considering the district’s strong reliance on ranching and animal-related businesses.

Rutinel’s past positions create skepticism about his current views on the meat business. He is running against Rep. Gabe Evans, a Republican, in a district known for its competitiveness. In a conversation with the Colorado Sun, Rutinel expressed a change in his stance towards ranching.

Like all industry, there are bad apples, and I’ve spoken out against those bad apples that cause extreme and unnecessary animal cruelty in parts of the food industry and against the environmental cost of unsustainable food practices.

Rutinel highlighted the importance of ranchers in Colorado’s economy and community. He noted that ranchers are respected neighbors and friends.

The 8th Congressional District is a leader in beef cattle and dairy production, contributing 26% of Colorado’s total output. Farming and livestock account for 75% of the area’s 2.5 million acres, a statistic from Upstate Colorado Economic Development emphasized.

The Republican National Committee, through spokesperson Zach Kraft, criticized Rutinel’s past advocacy of veganism. Kraft questioned if voters in the ranching hub of Colorado would support someone perceived as anti-meat.

Rutinel’s ideals have leaned toward veganism, a sentiment he demonstrated clearly at an Earth Day event at age 21. His advocacy extended to his time at Yale Law School, where he spoke before the Connecticut legislature about climate dietary shifts.

The report concludes that the globe must dramatically shift away from animal products and towards fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts. This environmental shift will also have tremendous health benefits for consumers.

Rutinel’s legislative history includes support for a fur ban, despite opposition from Denver Democrats. He started a petition for Popeyes to offer a plant-based menu during the COVID-19 pandemic as a preventive health measure. Additionally, he founded Climate Refarm, an organization aiming to promote plant-based diets to reduce emissions effectively.

Climate Refarm advocates transitioning to plant-based food systems, using science-backed solutions to lower greenhouse gas emissions, as stated on their website.

As Rutinel prepares to compete against Evans on November 3, 2026, his evolving views on ranching remain a critical topic for voters interested in Colorado’s economic and environmental direction.