Weld County Starts 'Meat-IN' Day In Response To Gov. Polis' 'MeatOUT' Day

By Rebekah Gonzalez

March 2, 2021

The Weld County Board of Commissioners are formally proclaiming Wednesday, February 3, as Weld County Ranching, Livestock, and "Meat-IN" day, reports FOX31.

The proclamation is in response to Governor Jared Polis announcing the statewide "MeatOUT" day to encourage residents to try out plant-based diets.

FOX31 reports Governor Polis was asked about the proclamation during a recent COVID-19 update.

“We do hundreds of these proclamations. We’d love to have Colorado beef appreciation day," said Polis. “One of my quarantine hobbies was learning to really develop techniques around cooking some of the underappreciated cuts, including flanks and round steak. I would put my brisket against anybody’s brisket in the state."

But many members of the Weld County Board of Commissioners were offended by his proclamation, calling it an attack on their rural communities.

“When Governor Polis declared March 20 as MeatOUT day, it was a slap in the face to the thousands of ranching and farm families across this state,” said Commissioner Chair Steve Moreno. “It was yet another hit against rural Colorado.”

Weld County is the state's leading county in agricultural products. The county brings in $2 billion a year from the sale of livestock, poultry, and other products, reports FOX31.

The commissioners are inviting farming and ranching families to join them at Wednesday's board meeting for the reading of the proclamation at the Weld County Administration Building in Greeley.

Photo: Getty Images