A small town standoff in Kremmling has escalated into a bitter legal battle between Grand County officials and John Schein, the owner of Middle Park Meat Co. Despite multiple failed health inspections and a direct court order to shut down in February, Schein has kept his doors open, continuing to serve customers while defying local authorities. The dispute has reached such a peak that the Grand County Sheriff noted his deputies are now providing backup for health inspectors, making it the only establishment in the area requiring police presence for routine sanitary checks.
County health officials paint a grim picture of the kitchen, citing broken coolers, improper food temperatures, and cross contamination risks. According to records presented to county commissioners, inspectors also found unpasteurized milk and raw eggs sourced from unapproved sellers, along with a failure to separate residential living spaces from food prep areas. Director Abbie Baker told commissioners that unlike other businesses the department helps coach toward compliance, Schein has frequently ignored scheduled appointments or refused to respond to messages while staff waited outside his door.
Schein views the situation through a completely different lens, framing himself as a victim of bureaucratic overreach rather than a public health risk. In an email to reporters, he accused government agencies of conspiring to falsify documents to sabotage his growing business. While he eventually complied with an order to post a sign stating that the facility is not inspected by the health department, he now asks entering customers whether they trust him more than what he calls local career bureaucrats and their regulatory checklists.
Despite the looming threat of further legal action and accusations of operating in total contempt of the law, Schein remains defiant about his products. He maintains that he provides some of the best smoked brisket and steak available on earth and believes his struggle encourages community members to question government authority. For now, Grand County officials are left weighing their remaining options as one man continues to sell legendary jerky in defiance of a judge’s gavel.
