Terry Fankhauser, among the state’s greatest advocates for the cattle industry, is being remembered by cattle raisers and dignitaries in Colorado for his unwavering devotion.
Fankhauser died Monday, Jan. 29, following complications from a heart surgery.
For more than two decades, he served as the executive vice president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, retiring in 2022 to return to the family’s farm in Kansas.
“We have lost a truly great man; a loving husband, dad, and friend,” said Robert Farnam of Brush, president of the Colorado Cattle Association. “He loved this association, its members, and the beef industry in our great state.”
He advocated against the introduction of wolves in support of ranchers and opposed Gov. Jared Polis when he proposed “Meat Out” events across the state by himself promoting “Meat In” events in every nook and cranny of Colorado.
“I engaged with Terry the entire time I was in the legislature,” said former State Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, a cattle raiser on the Eastern Plains. “I worked with him in legislation. His knowledge and experience within the industry was unsurpassed.”
When together Fankhauser and Sonnenberg learned of “impossible” vegetarian burgers being served to state government employees, they decided to react by putting together a hamburger fry at the National Western Stock Show.
And his impact was felt from the furthest reaches of the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, and beyond, says Janie VanWinkle of Grand Junction, who served from 2020-21 as president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.
“He was larger than life,” she said. “He taught all of us that we could make an impact in our state and nationally around beef production, if we would just speak out.”
She recalls one such instance in which Fankhauser had asked her to address an audience from a stage and behind a microphone.
“Terry was a guiding force for me,” VanWinkle said. “I remember being a little unsure and new to it. He took me by the elbow and guided me to a microphone to speak. I could never have done that without Terry’s guidance and encouragement.”
Fankhauser often went to a Twitter-X account to support or oppose legislation on behalf of the industry, pointed out deceptive practices harming the beef industry, opposed imitation meat and often promoted the more than $500 million in beef exports produced in Colorado – the state’s largest export.
“Terry Fankhauser was a force for Colorado agriculture,” said Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg. “I am deeply saddened by his loss. Terry and I worked together for many years prior to my time as commissioner and through all of the years since.”
Upon announcing his retirement in 2022, Fankhauser indicated his lifetime goal was to “serve the beef industry and make it a better place for producers to do business.”
“He was honest, forthright, and never shied away from the tough stuff,” Greenberg said. “My heart is with Terry’s family and all those he knew and loved.”
Fankhauser’s passion lied in agriculture and often he would step beyond the scope of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association to support other meat producers.
“He was instrumental in so many ways to so many of us,” Farnam said. “He was a visionary leader, our state and industry have been blessed with him leading the way for so many years. He will be missed dearly but the mark he has left will always be carried with us.”
The impact Fankhauser had was not simply in support of the large cattle raiser, but for producers of all sizes and varieties, such as State Sen. Byron Pelton who manages a small herd of a couple dozen head.
“Colorado agriculture lost an amazing man,” Pelton said. “I worked with Terry on many things all the way back when I was a brand new county commissioner. Terry was a fierce advocate for Colorado agriculture and the livestock industry. He will be missed very much among all of us in agriculture. My deepest condolences to his family.”
Fankhauser was residing in Kansas with his wife, Hidi, and three children, Emma, Tess, and Grant, continuing an interest in important issues and public policy related to the industry.
“The only way I can describe him is a giant of a man among his peers both in stature and personality,” Eastern Colorado rancher and former Colorado Cattlemen’s Association President Kenny Rogers told the Western Ag Network. “There aren’t enough words to describe the feelings people will feel and the imprint he left during his time here. He left a legacy.”
He was succeeded as executive vice president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association by Erin Karney Spaur.
“He was a great mentor to so many of us in the industry,” she told the Western Ag Network. “He really paved the way for issues management and maintaining relevancy as a cattlemen’s association.”
Upon his retirement, Fankhauser termed his role as executive vice president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association as “one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”
As of the time of this report, funeral arrangements had not been announced for Fankhauser.