Manny Rutinel, Democratic candidate for Congress in Colorado’ 8th Congressional District, once co-authored a paper that argued that livestock — not fossil fuels — should be more of a focus to combat global warming."Simply put, achieving the Paris Agreement goals will be nearly impossible without ambitious policies that reform our food system," Rutinel wrote in a 2022 paper with the Environmental Law Institute."Despite the growing awareness of animal agriculture’s climate impact, climate policy and action have historically focused on electricity and fuel use."EUROPE'S 'GREEN IDEOLOGY' CLIMATE AGENDA RISKS CRUSHING ITS INDUSTRY, ENVIRONMENT MINISTER WARNSRep.Manny Rutinel, democratic candidate for the 8th Congressional District, poses for a portrait at the house Chamber of Colorado State Capitol building in Denver, Colorado on Friday, February 20, 2026.
(Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)The resurfaced paper is just the most recent resurfaced content complicating the political calculus for Rutinel as he strives to convince voters that his past rhetoric on climate and farming is not fully representative of his views now.Four years since the publication of his work, Rutinel's election very well could depend on the heavy ranching presence in his district.Colorado’s 8th district is Colorado’s leading producer of beef cattle and dairy, accounting for 26% of the state’s output, according to Upstate Colorado Economic Development.Of its 2.5 million acres, 75% are devoted to farming and raising livestock.In recent months, Rutinel has worked to convince voters that he recognizes the industry's importance."Like all industry, there are bad apples, and I’ve spoken out against those bad apples that cause extreme and unnecessary animal cruelty in parts of the food industry and against the environmental cost of unsustainable food practices," he said."They’re good stewards of the land, they care for their animals, and they are the backbone of our economy and our communi...