Amendment 14 Passed by Colorado Voters

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) announced on election night that voters in Colorado have soundly passed Amendment 14, creating new rules for large hog factories moving to the state. Colorado?s environmental groups, ranchers, and farmers collectively applaud residents for voting in support of Colorado?s water and environment.

?The new generation of hog factories locating in Colorado produces huge amounts of waste, the likes of which have never been seen in the state. Now we will be able to address this pollution problem in a way the makes sense for hog producers and the environment,? said Jim Martin, Senior Attorney for the Rocky Mountain Office of EDF.

Regulations passed in Amendment 14 will:

• prevent hog factories from applying hog waste above agronomic rate (more waste than can be used by crops);
• require hog factories to test soil and ground water to ensure that it is not being contaminated;
• require hog factories, not taxpayers, to pay for cleaning up spills from waste lagoons;
• ensure that hog factories are set back from water wells, bodies of water and adjoining property;
• require hog factories to minimize the severe odors created by their operations.

?Coloradans value the state?s water resources and voted that way today,? said Martin. ?After two years of working to pass these regulations, we are thrilled that the voters have carried the day in protecting Colorado?s water for all of us.?