The Denver Clerk and Recorder approved animal rights activists to circulate a petition proposing a ban on the force-feeding of poultry.

Backers of the initiative must now gather 9,494 valid signatures by Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in order to be added to the ballot in November 2026, according to a letter signed by Matt Dombosky, a policy and compliance administrator for the Office of the Clerk and Recorder.

Along with prohibiting the act itself, proponents seek to curb the sale of products derived from force-feeding birds, such as foie gras, often served in high-end restaurants.

The ballot initiative would only apply to the City and County of Denver and not to surrounding cities and suburbs.

Proponents met with city legislative experts in early June to review the language for their proposed legislation.

“Cultural attitudes towards animals have shifted, and polling shows a majority of Denver voters agree that this specific practice should be relegated to the history books,” said Aiden Kanyoku, strategy lead for Pro-Animal Future, a grassroots group targeting industrialized farming.

California, New York City and other major U.S. cities have banned the sale of foie gras — fattened duck or goose liver — but in many cases, it can still be served as long as it is brought in from out of state.

While Kankyoku said he is unaware of any businesses in the city or Colorado that engage in the practice of force-feeding, approximately two dozen restaurants in Denver currently prepare and serve foie gras and related products.

In recent months, some Denver chefs opted to remove foie gras from their menus after protesters organized demonstrations outside restaurant doors.

Last year, Denver voters rejected several animal-related measures — including a ban on slaughterhouses and the sale of new fur products, such as those made from rabbit and beaver pelts.