Voters in Denver have a landmark opportunity to ban the cruelty of foie gras. On November 3, voters will decide on Initiated Ordinance 311, which would prohibit force-feeding birds to enlarge their livers and the sale of products derived from this horrific practice, including foie gras. Vote Yes on Initiated Ordinance 311 to stop it, and spread the word to fellow Denver residents!

Torturing Animals for Profit

The process of producing “foie gras” causes intense pain and suffering for the animals. Pipes filled with food are shoved down the throats of ducks and geese multiple times a day, causing their livers to swell to as much as ten times their normal size. Their enlarged and often diseased livers are sold as the so-called upscale “delicacy” known as foie gras.

Footage from undercover investigations exposes the brutality and suffering inflicted on these animals. The ordeal can cause broken bones and other injuries, difficulty breathing, and illness. The birds often have no access to sunlight, let alone bodies of water. 

Many facilities keep them confined in cramped cages day and night, leaving them in fear of the next time the cage will open to assault them with another force-feeding. After this ongoing torment, they are slaughtered.

Worldwide Momentum to End Foie Gras

The movement to end foie gras cruelty is gaining ground around the world. More than 20 countries have prohibited force-feeding birds for foie gras, and California and several U.S. cities have enacted restrictions or bans. These include Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Brookline, Massachusetts; and Portland, Oregon, which passed a ban in 2026. New York City has also passed a ban, although the New York Attorney General is currently challenging it. Meanwhile, legislation to restrict foie gras has been proposed in New Jersey.

The Impact of a Yes Vote and a Ban 

Help send a clear message that cruelty to animals has no place in our food system. In solidarity with Pro-Animal Denver and other organizations working to end foie gras cruelty, Denver voters have an opportunity to take a powerful stand against this abuse of birds.  

Ending foie gras cruelty is about more than one product. Bringing these horrors into public view can help challenge the normalization of cruelty and exploitation inherent in all animal farming and slaughterhouses. Every animal deserves to be protected from harm and recognized as an individual, rather than treated as a resource and commodity to be used and killed.

Help Spread the Word 

Please share this alert to build support for Denver Initiated Ordinance 311 and the rights of all animals to live free from enslavement. No animal deserves what humans do to them in the food system.

Urge the New York Attorney General to stop blocking New York City’s foie gras ban here.