City of Boulder 301 – Fur-Free Products

Ballot Question 301 is a citizen initiative driven by Fur Free Boulder. It would prohibit the sale and manufacture for sale of new fur products with limited exceptions in the city of Boulder. The exceptions include Native American use or trade of fur products, taxidermy products, sheepskin with the fleece attached (used in UGG boots, for example), fur products obtained from legal hunting, and dog and cat fur products as defined in US Code.

Inhumane fur farming is cited as the motivation behind Question 301. The website for the international Fur Free Alliance lists several countries which have banned fur farming. Sales bans are less common, but bans in Israel and California are due to take effect within the next two years. Two towns in Massachusetts and some big California cities have already banned fur sales.

Recommendation: no/against

Targeting fur farming seems much simpler than targeting sales. If Question 301 were only about banning inhumane fur farming in Boulder, then we should all vote yes.

This measure is about banning fur sales in Boulder, but mostly it's about making a statement. Boulder residents who want new fur products will either go to the nearest city or, if allowed, shop online – neither option helps local businesses.

There are conflicting interpretations about whether buying fur from an online realtor is allowed. Online realtors are required to remit Boulder sales tax for items delivered in the city. The ballot language is silent about online sales. Proponents are amenable to city council explicitly allowing online fur sales. However, wouldn’t such sales go against the purpose of this measure and therefore not be allowed under Section 54 of the city charter which only allows amendments which “do not alter or modify the basic intent of” Question 301?

Who would enforce the sales ban? The ballot language indicates that the seller, not the buyer, would be breaking the law. Enforcing the law against brick-and-mortar stores would not be so difficult, but how about online retailers? Would the proponents try to buy fur products online and then turn in the sellers for breaking the law?

This ballot measure and others, such as the original version of 2020’s Question 2E and this year’s Question 300, have not been thoroughly vetted before qualifying for the ballot. City council is not to blame. After the supporters collect the requisite number of signatures, city council is basically required to put the measure on the ballot.

One might argue that we should just pass this measure and look the other way regarding its problems. But, first of all, passing a bad law is a terrible practice, and second of all, with so much post-election polarization (as evidenced in part by the large number of recalls in CO), it’s highly doubtful that people will let sleeping dogs lie.

Website for the Yes side – Fur Free Boulder
https://www.furfreeboulder.com/

Website for the No side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.
Laurel Tate of Two Sole Sisters has emerged as a spokesperson.


Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Ballot Question 301

Shall the City of Boulder prohibit the sale and manufacture for sale of certain fur products?

YES/FOR _____
NO/AGAINST _____

Ordinance No. 8480 to put Question 301 to the voters
Ordinance 8480 or go to https://bouldercolorado.gov/nov-2-2021-boulder-election-ballot-measures-and-candidates