Colorado can continue to make progress on dismantling its legacy of toxic environmental injustices this year. For too long, like many states across the country, we have allowed industry to run rampant at the expense of our residents, particularly low-income communities and communities of color. Northeast Denver ranks among the most polluted ZIP codes in […]
PFAS
Posted inEnvironment, News, Politics and Government
As “forever chemical” concerns mount, Colorado lawmakers move to ban product sales
The sale of many products containing the dangerous “forever chemicals” known as PFAS would be banned in Colorado as early as 2024, under legislation to be introduced this week and backed by a host of consumer and environmental groups. Toxic PFAS chemicals, used as lubricants and repellants in products ranging from firefighting foam to clothing […]
Posted inEnvironment, Health, News
Colorado attorney general sues makers of firefighting foam that uses “forever chemicals” threatening drinking water
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office filed suit Monday against 15 makers of firefighting foam that contains “forever chemicals” called PFAS, alleging the companies caused contamination found in water samples taken across the state and endangered public health. The lawsuit in state district court says the companies, including five related to DuPont, “knew or should have […]
Posted inEnvironment, Health, News
Colorado issues tough new draft rules on Suncor to limit runoff of dangerous “forever chemicals” into water
Colorado will for the first time monitor and limit runoff of PFAS, dangerous “forever chemicals” threatening drinking water across the nation, at Suncor’s Commerce City Refinery as part of a long-anticipated draft of the company’s water quality permit unveiled Tuesday. The draft of the renewed permit also demands rigorous benzene cleanup and other controls sought […]
Posted inEnvironment, Health, News
EPA unveils strategy to regulate toxic “forever chemicals”
By Matthew Daly, The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is launching a broad strategy to regulate toxic industrial compounds associated with serious health conditions that are used in products ranging from cookware to carpets and firefighting foams. Michael Regan, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said it is taking a series of […]
Posted inEnvironment, Health, News
Colorado may have more sites with dangerous “forever chemicals” than any other state
Colorado may have more locations where dangerous PFAS “forever chemicals” are stored and used than any other state in the U.S., according to a database released by the EPA after challenges from a watchdog group. About 21,000 industrial sites in Colorado appear on the previously undisclosed EPA database of locations that “may be handling” PFAS, […]
Posted inColoradans, Environment, Health, Water
Agricultural water contaminated with “forever chemicals” could taint produce, Colorado study finds
Lettuce and other produce could soak up dangerous concentrations of the banned firefighting chemical PFAS tainting agricultural irrigation, even in areas where drinking water is already filtered for the substance, according to a new modeling study led by the Colorado School of Mines. The study proves the possibility, but does not claim real-world tests on […]
Posted inEnvironment, Health, News, Politics and Government, Water
Colorado water officials to regulate “forever chemicals” found in firefighting foam, nonstick pans
Colorado’s Water Quality Control Commission is putting new limits on a class of chemicals common in everything from nonstick pans to firefighting foam. Colorado Public Radio reports the commission voted unanimously Tuesday to regulate per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” The chemicals have been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer […]
Posted inEnvironment, News, Politics and Government, Water
Colorado lawmakers wanted to tackle the state’s PFAS problem. They are taking more of a baby step.
Colorado lawmakers hoped this year to accelerate regulation of a group of man-made chemicals called per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are often used in firefighting foam and have contaminated drinking water in communities across the state. But a bipartisan bill to do just that was stripped of its most comprehensive elements during its first hearing at […]
Posted inEducation, Politics and Government
The Democratic agenda came with a big price tag. Now Colorado budget writers worry about paying the bill.
To pass their expansive legislative agenda, the new Democratic majority at the Colorado Capitol spent big this year. Real big. And now even Democratic budget writers are worried about how to make ends meet. “There were a lot of bills passed last (session) that have continued spending … and some of those were very large,” […]