The volunteer leaders and staff of the Colorado Livestock Association work to represent, inform, and advance Colorado's livestock industry.

Made possible by the investment of membership dues at work every day on behalf of the industry, we have had many successes in our efforts to fulfill our mission. Check out the top five highlights from the most recent quarter.

The Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) strengthened its engagement with USDA leadership this past quarter, bringing Colorado livestock producers' priorities and concerns directly to federal decision-makers.

CLA participated in two key discussions with USDA officials during visits to Colorado. USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce visited Five Rivers Cattle Feeding’s Kuner Feedyard and met with CLA President Britt Dinis at her family’s Empire Dairy near Wiggins. Travis Grant also joined Fordyce for a West Slope roundtable with representatives from across Colorado agriculture.

Discussions focused on the challenges facing producers, including market fluctuations, high input costs, inflation, drought, wildfires, and opportunities for the next generation. With Fordyce’s leadership of the Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency, and conservation programs, the conversations also emphasized the importance of certainty and stability for producers. 

CLA President Britt Dinis, Past President Jim Docheff, Director Kristie Docheff, and Bob Warner, as well as Luke Lind and Billy Schmitz of Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, participated in a roundtable with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, hosted by Congressman Gabe Evans. CLA members raised concerns surrounding input costs, markets, drought and natural disasters, as well as labor, animal disease prevention, and trade. 

These conversations gave CLA valuable opportunities to share firsthand perspectives with USDA leadership and advocate for Colorado livestock producers.

CLA appreciates Secretary Rollins, Under Secretary Fordyce, and Congressman Evans for engaging directly with Colorado’s livestock industry. CLA will continue working to ensure producers have a strong voice in the policy discussions affecting their operations and communities.

CLA published the 2026–2027 edition of VISION, reaching nearly 4,000 readers in print and digital formats. This year’s edition features an increase in both circulation and CLA-focused content, highlighting the association’s priorities, advocacy, and impact.

The issue includes a look at new CLA President Britt Dinis and her family’s dairy farm, how member dues are put to work, this year’s industry award recipients, CLA’s strategic priorities and Industry Preservation Fund, and our legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts.

1st Place team sponsored by Flood & Peterson

2nd place team sponsored by Arm & Hammer

The 2026 CLA Industry Partner Council Golf Outing was a record-setting day on the links, with 21 foursomes coming together on August 26 at Quail Dunes Golf Course in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

The annual event brought together Colorado Livestock Association members, industry partners, and friends of Colorado agriculture for a beautiful day of golf and networking.

CLA extends a sincere thank-you to all of our Industry Partner Council members for their support of the association and the livestock industry. Your partnership helps make events like this possible and strengthens the relationships that are so important to the future of Colorado agriculture.

Thank you again to our Industry Partner Council partners, sponsors, golfers, and everyone who helped make the 2026 CLA Golf Outing a memorable day. We look forward to seeing everyone back on the links next year!

The Colorado Livestock Association has revised the Labor and Employment Compliance Guide for livestock producers as of September 2026. The latest revision includes updates to Overtime rules, federal Form i-9, and required posters.

The guide, compiled under the guidance of attorneys from Range, PC, covers important topics for all Colorado livestock producers, including background information and what employers are required to do regarding the following areas:

• Federal Form I-9
• Wage and Hour Recordkeeping Requirements
• Colorado Minimum Wage
• Colorado Agriculture Overtime
• Mandatory Meal Breaks, Rest Breaks, Extended Meal Breaks, and Additional Paid Breaks
• Paid Sick Leave
• Vacation and PTO
• FMLA and FAMLI
• Workplace Injury or Illness
• Heat Injury & Illness Protection
• Key Service Provider Access
• Harassment and Discrimination
• Disability Accommodations
• Pregnant Worker and Nursing Mother Protections
• Required Posters

To request a copy of the guide, please contact [email protected].

In a recent member alert sent to CLA livestock members, resources for employers on handling a visit from ICE agents on their operation was shared.

You can access these resources from the email alert that was sent on Thursday, September 24, 2026, or under the “Resources” tab in your mobile app (Apple App Store / Google App Store), or by logging into your CLA Member Portal from your desktop.  

For further information, contact CLA CEO Travis Grant at [email protected] or (720) 814-7351.

CLA continued to get out across the state this quarter, connecting directly with members and strengthening relationships with Colorado’s agriculture community stakeholders. CLA staff met with members in the Fort Morgan, Pueblo, and Fowler areas, hearing firsthand about the issues and opportunities impacting livestock producers in different parts of the state.

CLA President Britt Dinis, CEO Travis Grant, and lobbyist Wes Skiles also joined legislators and agriculture industry partners at the Colorado State Fair Legislative Roundtable and BBQ. With a full tent of attendees, the event provided a great opportunity to build connections, discuss agriculture’s priorities, and celebrate Colorado’s livestock industry.

Supporting the next generation of agriculture remains an important part of CLA’s work. As a longtime sponsor of livestock exhibitors at the Colorado State Fair, CLA continued that tradition by sponsoring awards throughout the weekend. Dinis and Grant presented the CLA-sponsored Premier Exhibitor awards at the Junior Livestock Sale, while CLA also sponsored trophies for Grand Champion Market Beef, Market Lamb, and Junior Dairy Champion Showman, along with the Grand Champion Market Beef Belt Buckle.

Colorado Livestock Association  | (970) 378-0500 | www.coloradolivestock.org