Reps. Neguse and Hurd Lead Colorado’s House Delegation in Defense of Ranchers & Producers, Push Back Against Plan to Purchase More Argentine Beef
October 24, 2025
Lafayette, CO — Today, Colorado’s Western Slope lawmakers, Congressmen Joe Neguse and Jeff Hurd, convened the state’s bipartisan House delegation in support of local ranchers and rural economies. They issued the following statement in response to public comments from President Donald Trump suggesting the United States should buy more beef from Argentina to support the South American country’s struggling economy, and implored his administration to reverse course. It was co-signed by Colorado Representatives Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, Jason Crow, Diana DeGette, Gabe Evans, and Brittany Pettersen.
“Colorado’s beef industry — and the farmers, ranchers, and producers who have sustained it across generations — is essential to the vitality of our state’s economy and our nation's food security. While we understand the importance of fair, strong trade relationships and diverse markets, we urge the administration to reconsider the increase in imports of Argentine beef that could pose risk to the domestic cattle market and the countless individuals across our state whose livelihoods depend on it. Together, we must advocate for Colorado’s cattle producers and consumers alike, prioritizing American beef and working to strengthen our agriculture industry for the future,” stated Colorado’s U.S. House members.
Trump’s proposal was met with immediate resistance from across party lines, and sparked concern among American cattle producers, ranchers, and agricultural leaders. For the state of Colorado, an economic analysis released in September estimated that a reduction in beef exports could result in more than 260 jobs lost and nearly $80 million in reduced economic output.
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