Colorado Democratic candidate's ties to animal-law fellowship spark campaign scrutiny
Democratic congressional hopeful Manny Rutinel is facing questions about his recent role as a fellow at the University of Denver's Animal Law Program, which supports radical animal-rights cases and promotes the idea that insects are sentient.
Manny Rutinel, the Democratic nominee for Colorado's heavily ranch-dependent Eighth Congressional District, is under fire for his 2024 fellowship at the University of Denver's Animal Law Program, a position that paid him more than $15,000. The program, overseen by Justin Marceau, provides research support and public visibility for causes that include defending activists accused of ecoterrorism and advocating that all non-human creatures, even insects, possess sentience.
Its affiliated legal defense project has represented figures such as Cara Mitrano and Wayne Hsiung, who face serious charges for raids on fur farms and poultry operations. Rutinel’s campaign asserts he ceased any compensated involvement after his 2024 guest lecture and now seeks to downplay his earlier vegan activism. The dispute surfaces as he challenges Rep. Gabe Evans, whose district generated roughly $1.2 billion from ranching in 2022, and raises questions about the influence of radical animal-rights groups on a mainstream political candidate.
Why it matters
Voters need to know how a candidate's past affiliations with controversial activist groups may affect his stance on a key local industry.
In this story
