Colorado’s “Ranch to Plate Act” is on the desk of Gov. Jared Polis. It deregulates meat sales that are made directly to consumers.

As soon as Polis signs it, it will become law, permitting the sale of animals for consumption to “informed end consumers” to enjoy exemption from “certain laws.”

Legislative staff analysts provide this explanation of Senate Bill (SB) 21-079:

“This bill allows a person to sell, without licensure, meat, animals, or shares of cattle, calves, sheep, bison, goats, hogs, and rabbits to an informed end consumer for future delivery without regulation or inspection by a public health agency if the following conditions are met:

• The seller gives the consumer a document or conspicuously displays a disclaimer regarding the animal’s exemption from state regulation and inspection; and
• The meat, animal, or animal share is sold in Colorado and delivered directly to the end consumer;
• Livestock remain subject to brand inspection by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA);
•  But only one inspection, immediately before slaughter, is authorized. 
• The State Board of Stock Inspection Commissioners is required to promulgate rules to implement this process;
• The bill prohibits the re-sale of an animal or animal share by the consumer; and
• The seller is not liable in a civil action for damages caused by inadequate cooking or improper preparation for consumption.”

Polis, who was a member of the “Food Freedom Caucus” in Congress, is expected to sign the bill. His office has not announced when or if there will be a signing ceremony. The Boulder Democrat has been on a make-up tour with the state’s farmers and ranchers since came out for a meatless holiday earlier this year.

State Sen. LeRoy M. Garcia, president of the Senate, and Colorado Speaker of the House Alec Garnett have already signed the bill.