![]() Weiser’s next town hall will be in Golden on April 24.Īt the end of the town hall in Cañon City, attendees passed out fliers and buttons that said, “Stop the Merger.” “We can challenge it regardless of what the federal government does.” “We're doing our homework on this one,” he said. He’s also launched an online survey open to all Colorado residents. Weiser said he would spend the bulk of this year considering whether to take legal action against the merger. Smith worries the loss of competition between grocery stores could have negative impacts on her town’s economy and residents' wallets. “And we need the ability to have affordable groceries, especially in a rural community where our median income is not very high and food insecurity is a real thing.” Matt Bloom/CPR News Cañon City Mayor Ashley Smith shares concerns about a merger of King Soopers and Safeway’s parent companies, during a town hall inside of the Cañon City Public Library on March 22, 2023. “That is a really sore spot for our economic development,” she said. She grew emotional as she said the town is already struggling with vacant buildings and a rising cost of living. “We’re going to advocate for consumer choice in our community,” Smith said. Ashley Smith, the mayor of Cañon City, stood and addressed Weiser. Residents shared fears about Kroger controlling prices at both locations. “How many of you here shop at City Market?” Weiser asked the crowd. ![]() ![]() Much of the conversation revolved around how the merger would impact the town’s City Market and Safeway stores, which both sit within a block of each other. The town hall was part of a listening tour Weiser is on as he weighs whether to challenge a merger between Kroger and Albertsons grocery companies for antitrust violations. They listened as Weiser outlined his plan for determining whether to challenge the merger, which he said, quoting antitrust laws, rested on whether it would “substantially lessen competition or tend towards monopoly.” Matt Bloom/CPR News Attorney General Phil Weiser speaks to a crowd inside the Cañon City Public Library on March 22, 2023. Several dozen residents, elected officials and local business owners attended. “I am very concerned,” Weiser told a small crowd inside the Cañon City Public Library on his most recent stop. Most of his stops so far have been in smaller towns with only a few grocery options, such as Gunnison. He’s now in the midst of a multi-city listening tour as he weighs whether to take legal action to try to stop the deal, which could close as soon as early 2024 if it goes unchallenged. Since announcing the deal last fall, the companies have promoted it as a cost-saver for consumers and promised to keep stores in Colorado and other states open.ĭespite the promises, the companies’ plans have drawn skepticism from unions, consumer advocate groups and state attorneys general.Ĭolorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launched a multistate investigation into the deal shortly after it was announced last fall. “At my age, 60, who’s gonna hire me?” Ketchum said. Workers, too, could be left in the lurch. They fear that consolidation could eventually lead to food price increases amid already-high inflation and, potentially, lead to store closures. Critics say putting the two brands under one corporate roof could kill competition in those parts of the state. ![]() In many smaller towns, such as Cañon City, the two stores make up the bulk of residents’ grocery options already. The meeting was part of a listening tour Attorney General Phil Weiser is on as he weighs whether to challenge a merger between Kroger and Albertsons grocery companies for antitrust violations. Matt Bloom/CPR News Sharon Ketchum, left, listens during a town hall inside of the Cañon City Public Library on March 22, 2023. The combined company would control roughly 50 percent of the state’s grocery options, according to some estimates. King Soopers and Safeway are two of the biggest supermarket chains in the state - operating more than 250 stores between the two of them. The proposal, which must still win the Federal Trade Commission’s approval, has raised alarm bells from some Colorado residents and elected officials, especially in rural communities. Together, the two companies would combine to create one of the country's largest grocers. A Kroger-Albertsons merger would control 50% of Colorado's grocery optionsĪlbertsons, which operates roughly 100 Safeway stores in Colorado, is in talks to accept a nearly $25 billion takeover bid from Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers and City Market stores. ![]()
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