Is your water safe to drink? Is your soil safe to grow veggies? These questions are front of mind for many residents of the Pikes Peak region. For years, firefighting exercises at air bases in Colorado Springs used chemicals that we now know have contaminated area groundwater and are bad for our health. Find out what we know, and what’s being done about it, from an expert panel convened at the Peak Environment Podfest.

The podfest featured three panels recorded in front of a live audience on October 19, 2019, at Stargazers Theatre & Event Center. This panel, moderated by Colorado State Senator Pete Lee, discusses the hazardous traits of PFAS, a family of “forever chemicals” that take a long time to go away. Senator Lee co-sponsored House Bill 1279 which outlaws the foam's use for training and in firefighting equipment.

Panelists include:

Dr. Tyler A. Cornelius Visiting Assistant Professor, Environmental Program Colorado College

Eli Fahrenkrug Ph.D Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Colorado College

Liz Rosenbaum Founder, Fountain Valley Clean Water Coalition Candidate for House District 21 

Fran Silva-Blayney Colorado Chapter Chair Sierra Club Fountain Creek Water Sentinels

Mike Fink, P.E., Water Superintendent, City of Fountain Water Utility

Producer: Debbie Vitulli Editor: Katie Lawrie

Special thanks to our co-host for this event, Stargazers Theatre & Event Center.

 

LINKS:

Fountain Valley Water Project

Fountain Valley Clean Water Coalition

Sierra Club PFAS information page and listserv signup

PFAS: What You Need to Know About Your Water

Episode 21 of Peak Environment: PFAS Contamination in our Water (3/20/19 PASF Presentation)

 

UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS:

Take Colorado Springs Utilities Energy Planning Survey

Green Drinks Thursday, November 21, 2019 5:30 to 7:30 pm Smokebrush Farm (Red Crags Estate)302 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829 Potluck contributions welcome Some refreshments provided $5 donation requested Parking is limited; please carpool if you can

 

The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.

Green Cities Coalition

Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future

Pikes Peak Environmental Forum

Pikes Peak Library District Green Team

Pikes Peak Group of Sierra Club

Pikes Peak Permaculture

Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Subscribe (free) on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode: