Opinion: A Native American Perspective on Denver's Proposed Fur Ban

Initiated ordinance 308, the “Denver fur ban,” has sparked debate about tradition, culture and heritage. While the measure aims to end the cruel practice of killing animals for their fur, opponents have rallied around an unlikely victim: cowboy hats. The "Hands Off My Hat" campaign claims this ban would strip away Colorado's Western heritage and infringe on Native American customs, but this false choice between tradition and progress ignores our oldest and deepest values. As a member of the Navajo Nation and longtime Denver resident, I'll be voting yes on 308. I strongly believe we can honor our traditions while simultaneously choosing a more compassionate future.

Our Navajo (Diné) traditions teach us about balance and harmony with animals, with a reverence for nature woven into how we move through the world. Even the smallest creatures like ants are considered to be of great significance and should not be disturbed. Throughout Dinétah (Navajo Land), livestock are seen as sacred and very much integral to our lives. Currently, traditional Navajo hunters are taught only to shoot if they can avoid animal suffering. Before modern conveniences, when my people lived off the land, animals were thanked through prayer or song for giving up their lives, and nearly every part was used to honor their sacrifice for our gain.

Today's fur industry stands in stark contrast to these values. Currently, nearly all fur sold globally comes from animals raised on fur factory farms, where they constantly suffer in cramped, dirty cages before being killed through some of the most brutal methods like gassing, bludgeoning or anal electrocution — all to sell fur products like coats, boot linings and fur felt cowboy hats. Fur farms devastate local environments, with toxic waste seeping into our soil and water, and produce a carbon footprint nearly twenty times higher than alternative materials. While our ancestors once relied on fur to survive brutal winters, modern advancements in textile manufacturing have eliminated that need. The unjustifiable cruelty and industrialization of fur production no longer honors our connection to nature, and is in direct contradiction to our culture.

Opponents claim Initiative 308 threatens Native American customs. As someone who holds both a deep love of animals and my Native heritage, this argument rings hollow. With exceptions for used fur, sheared fibers like wool, and byproducts of the meat industry such as leather and sheepskin, it’s clear that the measure is aimed at protecting animals such as foxes, minks and beavers from being killed for their fur alone. Those participating in traditional ceremonies often rely on borrowed items, making the used fur exemption a practical solution for those to whom fur holds cultural significance.

But the measure goes even further by explicitly exempting legally recognized tribal members, following the model of fur bans passed in other cities and the state of California. This exception, crafted with input from the Native community, respects sovereign Indigenous nations' right to self-governance. While some worry about excluding those who don't qualify under tribal law, it's worth noting that legal tribal status — determined by the tribes themselves — is already used for many other protections, from health-care access to the possession of eagle feathers.

Claims that Initiative 308 would devastate the National Western Stock Show simply don't add up. Most felt hats are already made of synthetic materials or wool, with real fur felt cowboy hats typically costing hundreds of dollars. The 118-year-old Stock Show is a commercial entertainment event that draws crowds for its rodeo and livestock auctions, which will continue with or without the sale of select fur products. The idea that this would suppress cultural expression at the Denver Powwow is also baseless. The Powwow is a celebration of tribal heritage. Banning non-tribal members from buying or selling fur won’t change that.

I find it troubling that the opposition campaign has co-opted Native American imagery despite these careful exemptions. We should remember that fur trapping was historically used to justify stealing land from Indigenous nations, and I feel wary of my culture being used to prop up an industry that conflicts with the traditional Native values of respect for the natural world. My own family was forcibly relocated from Big Mountain in Arizona due to coal mining interests. This taught me the importance of using our political system to defend both people and animals against exploitation. While some vendors and businesses may need to adapt, I see this as a necessary step toward a more just and sustainable future.

Like all communities, Native Americans hold diverse views, including those around how animals are treated in modern industrial systems. Many of us seek to honor our cultural heritage while at the same time moving toward more compassionate practices. Initiative 308 strikes this balance, protecting animals and the environment — values deeply rooted in Indigenous cultures — while respecting our tribal autonomy.

As we cast our votes, I urge my fellow Denver residents to consider what future we want to build, and if there's a way to balance the celebration of our unique cultures with the duty of moral progress. Will we cling to practices that cause needless suffering, or can we find ways to honor traditions while also embracing compassion and sustainability? Over 250 fur farms still operate in the United States alone. Are fur cowboy hats enough of a reason to justify the mass confinement and brutal slaughter of wild species?

True respect for our heritage means evolving with our values. My values involve taking a stand against cruelty, which is why the Denver fur ban has my support.


Kayla Begay is a longtime Denver resident and member of the Navajo Nation. She grew up on her family’s cattle ranch and now advocates for the rights of animals.

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