Initiated Ordinance 311, Denver's foie gras question, explained

Denver voters will decide Initiated Ordinance 311 on Nov. 3. It would ban force-feeding birds and the sale of products made that way, including foie gras. On Oct. 25, Westword published two opinion pieces on it: one by a biologist urging a yes vote, and one by Council member Darrell Watson urging a no vote.

Why it matters: an initiated ordinance becomes city law if a majority of voters approve it, without a Council vote.

What it would do

• The ban: force-feeding birds to enlarge their livers, and the commercial sale, distribution, import, transport and receipt of products from force-fed birds, according to Ballotpedia.
• When: it would take effect July 1, 2027, Hoodline reported, citing Denverite.
• Penalties: fines of up to $5,000 or loss of city licenses, according to the same report.
• How many restaurants: estimates vary. The Denver Gazette reported about two dozen in 2025; Denverite cited up to 15, depending on the season.

How it got on the ballot

The measure is backed by Pro-Animal Colorado, a chapter of Pro-Animal Future. The Denver Elections Division found on Dec. 23, 2025, that it had enough valid signatures, according to Ballotpedia. Denverite reported that the group turned in more than 16,000 signatures, just over 11,000 of them valid.

Washington, D.C., votes on a similar measure the same day. California bans foie gras statewide, and New York City, Pittsburgh, Brookline, Mass., and Portland, Ore., have local bans, though none of those came through a ballot measure, according to Ballotpedia.

The arguments

• For: The biologist's Westword piece argues that force-feeding causes ducks physical harm and distress and that the product is unnecessary to any restaurant's business.
• Against: Watson, who said he owned a small business before joining the Council in 2023, argues the dish is rare on Denver menus and that the city has bigger priorities, including homelessness, addiction and housing costs. He also pointed to the 2024 measures from the same group, one of which targeted an employee-owned business in his district.

What our records add

The 2024 results. The same group's two 2024 measures failed: Initiated Ordinance 308, a fur sales ban, got 42.4% of the vote, and 309, a ban on slaughterhouses in Denver, got 36.3%, according to Ballotpedia.

The Council hasn't debated it. A search of the Council meeting transcripts we index finds no discussion of foie gras or Ordinance 311 (search). Because it was put on the ballot by petition, there was no Council vote to refer it. Our earlier explainers cover the Council-referred questions: 2H and 2J, 2I and 2K.

What's next

Ballots are due by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. The Denver Elections Division lists drop boxes and voting centers.