Colorado Lawmaker Remains Uninvolved During Historic Meatpacking Strike
An ongoing labor dispute at a Colorado meatpacking plant has raised questions about the stance of Republican Representative Gabe Evans. Despite a significant strike involving 3,800 workers from the JBS Foods facility in Greeley, Evans chose not to publicly support the striking employees in his district.
In March, these workers initiated a 19-day strike, marking the first major labor action in the meatpacking industry in over four decades. Their efforts culminated in securing wage increases, bonuses, and a commitment from JBS Foods to cover protective gear costs. Kim Cordova, a union president instrumental in organizing the strike, emphasized the workers’ determination, stating to the Associated Press that they endured harsh conditions because they “knew their worth and refused to be disrespected.”
While other Colorado lawmakers expressed their backing for the workers, Evans remained silent throughout the strike. The union representing JBS Foods employees noted that they received outreach from Senator John Hickenlooper and various state legislators, but Evans was absent from these communications.
Financial connections between Evans and JBS Foods have also come under scrutiny. Evans’ reelection campaign accepted a $5,000 donation from the JBS Foods PAC on February 23, shortly after the workers voted to authorize the strike. This followed a previous $5,000 contribution the prior year. Additionally, from 2024 to 2025, Evans received over $10,000 from senior employees at Cornerstone Government Affairs, a lobbying firm with JBS Foods as a client since 2023.
Evans has openly commended JBS Foods, having social interactions with its executives. In January 2025, he shared a photo on X with Wesley Batista Filho, the billionaire CEO of JBS North America Operations, labeling JBS Foods as “a vital part of Weld County’s workforce and economy.”
JBS Foods has faced multiple accusations of labor and safety violations, resulting in numerous OSHA complaints and civil suits. In 2025, the same month as Evans’ photo opportunity, JBS Foods agreed to a $4 million settlement with the federal government following revelations that its cleaning contractor illegally employed over 100 children aged 13 to 17. Jessica Looman, then a Labor Department administrator, remarked, “The department’s work uncovering a systemic disregard for the safety of children resulted in meaningful commitments to stop and prevent child labor exploitation.”
The company is also under federal investigation for potential antitrust violations.
As Evans campaigns for a second term, he is identified as one of the most vulnerable House Republicans facing reelection. His Democratic opponent will emerge from a June 30 primary, with contenders including former state Rep. Shannon Bird and current state Rep. Manny Rutinel, both of whom stood with the JBS Foods workers during the strike.
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