Colorado Livestock Association

The Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) welcomed a record-breaking crowd of more than 200 livestock producers, agribusiness partners, policymakers, and industry leaders to its 2026 Annual Meeting, held June 8–9 at the Monarch Casino Resort & Spa in Black Hawk. The meeting theme, “150 Years of Colorado Agriculture, 250 Years of American Legacy,” celebrated the rich history and enduring impact of agriculture in Colorado and across the nation.

The two-day event provided an opportunity for members to engage in meaningful discussions about the opportunities and challenges facing Colorado agriculture.

Read the full release here: https://bit.ly/4e34VfZ

Congrats to CLA member Joel Jarnagin for receiving this prestigious nomination!

Raised in a Kansas cattle feeding operation, Joel Jarnagin built his career on hard work, discipline and a commitment to people.

Today, as CEO of Cobalt Cattle Company, he has helped grow the business from a single yard to one of the largest cattle feeding operations in the country.

Known for his steady leadership and focus on relationships, Joel’s impact continues to shape the industry.

Vote today for the 2027 Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame recipient! 👉 cattlefeeders.org/vote

The Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) has elected Britt Dinis of Empire Dairy in Wiggins as its new President. Dinis officially began her term at the conclusion of the Association's 2026 Annual Meeting, held June 8–9 in Black Hawk.

"As I take the gavel of the Colorado Livestock Association, I am looking forward to continuing the work that has come before me while paving the way for our future," said Dinis. "CLA is a place for all Colorado livestock producers, and I will continue working to ensure that our membership is broad and representative of our dairy, cattle, swine, and sheep operations. Our members are our lifeblood, and maintaining an engaged membership strengthens all of our efforts—from safety and environmental programs to legislative and regulatory advocacy."

Read the full release here: https://bit.ly/4ukWXDz

We can't wait to celebrate Bill!
👏👏👏

Severance resident to be honored by Colorado Livestock Association
https://mrf.lu/PvkS

NCBA’s 2026 Young Cattlemen’s Conference concluded this week, with several Colorado Livestock Association members participating in this year’s program, including Monica Bettencourt of West Plains, LLC; Matt May of 4M Feeders; and Jose Woolfolk of Five Rivers Cattle Feeding.

Throughout the conference, participants gained firsthand insight into every segment of the beef supply chain through visits to key industry organizations and facilities, including National Cattlemen's Beef Association headquarters in Centennial, CO; Greeley Hat Works in Greeley, CO; Five Rivers Cattle Feeding Kuner Feedlot in Kersey, CO; Certified Angus Beef in Wooster, OH; Tyson Foods Beef processing facility; and empirical foods in South Sioux City, NE.

The conference also included a stop in Washington, D.C., where participants met with members of Colorado’s congressional delegation to discuss key policy issues impacting the state’s cattle producers and the broader beef industry. While on the hill, Colorado participants were honored with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition presented by Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.

In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmation of a case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Texas, the Colorado Livestock Association released the following statement:

"The Colorado Livestock Association is in close coordination with Dr. Maggie Baldwin, Colorado State Veterinarian. We appreciate all the effort that has gone into preparing for this eventuality, and the efforts to keep our industry informed as the first U.S. case of NWS has been reported in Texas. As this unfolds, we are encouraging producers to remain calm and continue operating as usual while remaining vigilant about their livestock. CLA remains committed to coordinating with CDA and disseminating critical information quickly to keep producers informed."

If you suspect a case of NWS, notify your local veterinarian or the Colorado Department of Agriculture at (303) 869-9130.

CDA will post updates about the response at ag.colorado.gov/NWS.

To learn more, visit screwworm.gov.

View the press release from CDA here: https://ag.colorado.gov/press-release/colorado-increases-readiness-after-new-world-screwworm-nws-confirmed-in-texas-urges

This week, CLA President-Elect Britt Ruhl Dinis and CLA member Janie VanWinkle served as panelists at the Colorado State University AgNext Research Summit in Fort Collins. They discussed the innovations beef producers across the supply chain are using to build profitable, resilient livestock systems and help position our industry for the future.

Don’t miss the State of the Industry Town Hall featuring your CLA Officer Team on Monday, June 8, during the CLA Annual Meeting, proudly sponsored by MHM Wealth Management Group - Stifel!

Hear directly from CLA leadership as they discuss key industry issues, current challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of Colorado’s livestock industry. This is your chance to stay informed, ask questions, and engage in the conversations that matter most to producers across the state.

📍 Colorado Livestock Association Annual Meeting

📅 June 8–9 | Black Hawk, CO

www.coloradolivestock.org/annual-meeting

Britt Ruhl Dinis
Travis Grant
Shanan N Kory Kessinger
Kenny Rogers
Brett Rutledge