Colorado’s highest court to hear elephant rights case

On October 24th, Colorado’s highest court will hear arguments demanding elephants’ right to liberty.

This hearing–the first of its kind in Colorado and the region–will be a huge day not just for our elephant clients Jambo, Kimba, Lucky, LouLou, and Missy, who are languishing at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. It will also be a huge day for elephants everywhere who are imprisoned and suffering because they lack legal rights.

Soon, a panel of judges on the Colorado Supreme Court will have the opportunity to do as the law demands and extend justice to elephants. The New York Court of Appeals in Happy’s case was the first US state high court to decide to hear arguments in support of nonhuman animal rights. This court is now the second.

No matter what happens, this hearing is monumental in itself and yet another example of the fact that calls for justice for elephants are finally being heard. Why? Because our supporters have the passion, persistence, and courage to support and demand it along with us. Thank you.

Remember: in the fight for legal rights for elephants, sometimes all it takes is one. One elephant whose story moves and motivates. One supporter dedicated to leading the charge in their community. One judge with the courage to call out the injustice of the status quo. One elected official who decides to chart a different path. There’s a lot that can come from this momentous hearing, and we look forward to preparing for it and fighting for our clients’ freedom with you on our side.

The hearing is open to the public. It will take place at the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder as part of the the Courts of Community program, which gives students the opportunity to observe oral arguments. You can read the Court’s order here. We’ll share further details soon!