Grocery store competition at Cortez could be preserved by Colorado AG lawsuit
Grocery store competition at Cortez could be preserved by Colorado AG lawsuit
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser chats with Rico residents at Rico Town Hall
Ore Cart photo
May 8, 2024
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser visited Rico May 8, 2024 to hear from residents about priorities, opportunities and challenges. He described the role of the AG office in enforcing criminal laws and advising State government on laws and regulations.
Weiser asked attendees for their impressions of life in Rico. Then, a specific question about groceries: “Where do you shop?”
Responses: “Cortez.”
The Colorado Attorney General’s office is suing to stop the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertson’s grocery companies, stated Weiser. This merger would reduce competition which could negatively affect Colorado shoppers, workers, farmers, and suppliers, according to a February 14, 2024 announcement. Access to local produce if the merger is completed may be affected, he warned.
At Cortez, the proposed consolidation of Alberston’s and Kroger would place City Market and Safeway stores under the same ownership. Walmart would not be affected.
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Excerpt from
February 14, 2024
announcement
On Oct. 14, 2022, Kroger announced it agreed to purchase Albertsons in a $24.6 billion supermarket merger that would have nationwide impacts on consumers, including in Colorado. Kroger operates 148 stores in Colorado under the King Soopers and City Market banners; and Albertsons operates 105 stores under the Safeway and Albertsons banners. The merger is under review by federal regulators. As authorized by state law, C.R.S. §§ 6-4-107, 6-4-11, the attorney general’s antitrust unit reviewed this proposed merger to evaluate if it is lawful, does not undermine competition, and is fair to consumers, workers, farmers, and suppliers. After a yearlong investigation, Attorney General Weiser filed a lawsuit in state court on February 14, 2024 to block the proposed merger.
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The Colorado AG held 19 listening sessions across Colorado to receive public input on the proposed merger’s impact on Colorado communities. The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Business Resource Center hosted a May 18 session.
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