Dear Editor, 

Environmental protection and personal health are both key values in the Boulder way of life. Boulder has the greatest concentration of organic and natural food companies in the country. Residents of Boulder County invest time and money in their food to stay away from pesticides. But food is not the only way to get exposed to pesticides as our bodies can also absorb these chemicals from the environment, for example during a hike in an area treated with pesticides.

Are our Boulder County and Boulder City Open Spaces, where so many of us go to exercise, as healthy as we expect them to be?

Unfortunately there is currently no system in place to confirm that the Boulder County Open Space areas we plan to visit have not been treated with pesticides. Boulder County Open Space has not made the effort to inform the public in order to protect our communities and our ecosystems from pesticides.

Boulder County Parks and Open Space is spraying toxic chemicals including Glyphosate (the active ingredient of Roundup) and Indaziflam (the active ingredient of Esplanade and Rejuvra) to control cheatgrass on Open Space natural lands. Glyphosate is associated with a wide range of illnesses, including Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, genetic damage, liver and kidney damage, and endocrine disruption. Indaziflam is a neurotoxin for mammals, an endocrine disruptor, and it affects the kidneys, liver, thyroid, stomach, seminal vesicles, and ovaries.

The public is not aware that Boulder County implements such methods to control weeds and to manage our public lands, using ground crews, tractors, and helicopters. The map of the areas sprayed with pesticides has never been shared with the public. This issue is going to get worse as the County is now getting ready for extensive aerial spraying using helicopters, once again without informing the public. Because of Boulder County Open Space’s lack of transparency, kids are biking, hiking, running, and playing on Boulder County Open Space while their parents confidently assume these lands are chemical free! You can sign and share this petition (https://sign.moveon.org/p/stopthespray) to demand full public transparency on the use of chemicals on Boulder County Open Space natural lands.

So far, unlike Boulder County Open Space, Boulder City has made major efforts to protect our communities from the impact of pesticides on human health and our ecosystems. Their website (https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/reducingpesticides) is an excellent resource to get educated on the subject of pesticides. Almost all pesticides are banned on city property, including Neonicotinoids and Glyphosate. City staff are required to notify the public of any pesticide applications on city property. Before taking a walk on city property you can check the maps (https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/reducingpesticides) that Boulder City provides to find the location of any pesticide treatments, along with the reason for and timing of pesticide application. Signs are placed at each application site at least 24 hours prior to the application. Boulder City cultivates healthy Open Space for the well-being of residents and visitors alike, along the long term health of our ecosystems.

I hope this information will help you stand up for your values and make informed choices.

Christel Markevich 

Nederland