Democratic Colorado hopeful’s past paper calls for overhauling livestock to meet climate targets

A 2022 paper co-authored by Manny Rutinel and the Environmental Law Institute asserted that combating climate change demands major changes to the food system, specifically targeting livestock emissions. The document recommended that governments impose regulations, taxes or mandates on animal farms and directly fund transitions from concentrated animal feeding operations to plant-based agriculture, as well as support carbon-offset projects.

Rutinel, now the Democratic nominee for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District—a region that produces 26% of the state’s beef and dairy and devotes three-quarters of its land to farming—has tried to reassure voters of his respect for ranchers while denouncing cruelty in the industry. Critics, including a Republican National Committee spokesperson, argue his ideas amount to a ban on ranching that would cause job losses and a national beef shortage. Rutinel’s campaign has not responded to inquiries about whether he still endorses those policy measures as the race heads to the November 3, 2026 general election versus Rep. Gabe Evans.