Governor Polis Pardons Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid in Colorado's Third Annual Turkey Pardon
Governor Jared Polis pardoned two Colorado-raised turkeys named Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on November 10, sparing them from Thanksgiving dinner tables and highlighting the state's agricultural community while launching a food drive for families facing federal nutrition assistance cuts.
The ceremony at the Governor's Mansion marked Colorado's third annual turkey pardon since the tradition began in 2023. First Gentleman Marlon Reis, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg, FFA Colorado State Officers, 4-H members and Gold Star families attended the event held in honor of Veterans Day.
The two turkeys, each weighing 22 pounds, came from Jodar Farms in Fort Collins. The farm supplies quality poultry and pork to several Fort Collins restaurants and has operated as a family-run business since 2009. Following the pardon, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid will live at Luvin Arms sanctuary, where Colorado's four inaugural pardoned turkeys from 2023 also reside.
Coloradans selected the turkey names through voting on the Governor's social media pages. The turkeys spent the night before the ceremony at the Governor's Mansion, continuing a tradition established with previous pardoned birds.
Food Drive Addresses Federal SNAP Benefit Cuts
The Governor's Office used the turkey pardon to launch a food drive running November 10 through November 14, accepting donations at the State Capitol to support Colorado families threatened by federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Capitol will be closed November 11 for Veterans Day. All collected food will go to Village Exchange Center for distribution to Colorado families.
The food drive comes as more than 600,000 Colorado residents faced a temporary suspension of November SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown that began October 1. While Colorado submitted a request November 7 to restore full November payments following a federal court order, the temporary suspension highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities in the federal nutrition assistance system.
Northern Colorado food banks mobilized emergency responses during the benefit suspension, with Larimer County food banks receiving approximately $650,000 in emergency state funding and Weld Food Bank reporting demand nearly doubling during the crisis.
"In Colorado we value freedom, almost as much as these birds do," Polis said. "Thanksgiving brings together family, friends, and loved ones over delicious food, reminding us to be thankful for what we have and give back to our communities."
Agriculture Commissioner Highlights Farming Role
Commissioner Kate Greenberg emphasized agriculture's central role in Colorado's Thanksgiving celebrations and food security during the ceremony.
"As you set your table this Thanksgiving, notice all the ways agriculture makes it possible," Greenberg said. "Today's turkey pardon is a wonderful way to highlight Colorado's agricultural heritage and history."
The federal SNAP benefit cuts created additional pressure on Colorado's food distribution networks. Food insecurity rates stand at approximately 9.1 percent in Larimer County and 12.5 percent in Weld County, according to USDA and Colorado Department of Human Services data.
"We also know that many families are struggling to access the food they need due to the federal cuts in the SNAP program," Greenberg said. "We're proud to help Governor Polis kick off this week's food drive and help connect more Colorado families with safe and healthy food."
The Agriculture Commissioner noted that Colorado's farmers and ranchers remain integral to ensuring food security throughout the state.
Local Food Resources Available for Holiday Shopping
The Colorado Department of Agriculture maintains seasonal maps showing locations of farmers' markets, farm stands and other sources for Colorado-grown produce, meats and products. The resources help residents shop locally during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Several Fort Collins businesses launched initiatives to support residents during the November SNAP suspension, including Friendly Nick's Butcher, which raised more than $80,000 to distribute free meat packages to affected families.
Elder Construction partnered with Weld Food Bank for an annual turkey drive collecting frozen turkeys and monetary donations through November, while Food Bank for Larimer County seeks 4,700 turkeys for Thanksgiving distributions.
Colorado established the gubernatorial turkey pardon tradition in 2023 when Governor Polis pardoned four turkeys named Gus, Matilda, Pumpkin and Maple from Hayden Fresh Farm in Routt County. Those turkeys also went to Luvin Arms sanctuary in Erie.
The ceremonial pardon carries no legal authority under the Colorado Constitution, which grants the governor pardon power only for people convicted of offenses. The turkey pardon serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate Colorado agriculture and remind residents to support local food systems and neighbors in need during the holiday season.
Residents interested in donating food can bring items to the Governor's Office at the State Capitol through November 14.