NEDERLAND — Good news for Nederland residents whose water is supplied by private wells. Boulder County is offering free water testing as part of a statewide effort to identify and reduce exposure to specific human-made chemicals that have existed in specific products since the 1940s. 

Boulder County Public Health and the Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE) and Environment are working together to provide residents free sampling kits to test their wells for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

According to the CDPHE’s website, PFAS have been used due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil, and exist in consumer products, such as clothing and shampoo, as well as firefighting foam. These chemicals break down extremely slowly and, due to ingestion through contaminated drinking water, can “build up” within humans and animals over time. 

“Long-term exposure to PFAS has been linked to potential health effects such as increased cholesterol levels, impacts on the immune system, pregnancy-related health concerns, and increased risk of certain cancers,” a press release from Boulder County Public Health reads. 

This initiative comes as part of the state’s PFAS Testing and Assistance Program, which was formed from the PFAS Action Plan, originally drafted in 2019 and finalized in 2024, which aims to: “identify and minimize” PFAS exposure, “assess and provide information” on health risks, “limit the amount of PFAS entering the environment” and to address known contamination. 

Private well owners can complete an online request form at bit.ly/CO-TAP in order to receive their Cyclopure sampling kit within two weeks. Those who receive their drinking water from a public water system are not eligible for this program. 

“Participants collect their water sample by following the instructions included in the kit and mail it back using a prepaid shipping label,” the press release details. “Test results are generally available about three weeks after the sample is returned.” 

Additionally, participants who qualify may receive a free water filter to reduce their exposure or PFAS and other common contaminants.

For more information: from Boulder County Public Health on private wells and water quality, go to: boco.org/wells.

On the PFAS TAP program: bit.ly/CO-TAP-Learn-More

On PFAS in Colorado: cdphe.colorado.gov/pfas

And on PFAS and your health: bit.ly/pfas-health

Residents can direct health-related questions to: 303-692-2606 or cdphe_toxcall@state.co.us.

And questions related to the PFAS Testing and Assistance Program to: 303-906-8052 or cdphe_pfas-tap@state.co.us.