Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to dismantle the new law requiring all eggs sold in Colorado to come from cage-free environments.
The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Ryan Gonzalez of Greeley and state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer of Brighton.
Polis administration officials insist the increased cost is mostly due to bird flu, which is in fact impacting egg prices nationwide.
And yet, Republicans say producing eggs solely in cage-free environments adds another 18% to the cost.
The Republicans reminded their Democrat colleagues:
“Increased prices disproportionately impact low-income families, who are already struggling to keep up with rising costs,” Gonzalez and Kirkmeyer’s bill states. “At a time when inflation is driving up the cost of housing, fuel, and everyday essentials, many people in this state cannot afford to have policies that make it more difficult for them to put food on the table.”
The Summit Daily News reports the cost of a dozen eggs in Meeker this month soared to $13.49, while other high-country counties like Summit, Eagle, Grand and Routt paid $7.19 for a dozen last week.
Stay tuned. If the bill passes this session, voters would have the final say in a November 2026 referendum.