Louisville, Co- is this a safe place to live (Denver: house, university)

[Sadhere]

We're moving to the Boulder area and had been interested in Louisville for the cute downtown street area but i recently found out about the Rocky flats thing and it basically has scared me with the safety of the entire Boulder Denver area. I had written another thread on this subject and received some responses but not enough. I'm interested now in the people who reside in Louisville and what they think of it and if it concerns them or if its not an issue anymore and there is nothing to worry about. A biology professor at the University of Colorado advised other places to live since it was close to the path of the plume. He seemed unsure of it. I don't want to feel afraid of this area. So to those who have been living there for years (I mean more than 10) can you offer any input-

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by Sadhere

We're moving to the Boulder area and had been interested in Louisville for the cute downtown street area but i recently found out about the Rocky flats thing and it basically has scared me with the safety of the entire Boulder Denver area. I had written another thread on this subject and received some responses but not enough. I'm interested now in the people who reside in Louisville and what they think of it and if it concerns them or if its not an issue anymore and there is nothing to worry about. A biology professor at the University of Colorado advised other places to live since it was close to the path of the plume. He seemed unsure of it. I don't want to feel afraid of this area. So to those who have been living there for years (I mean more than 10) can you offer any input-

I looked this guy up in the property records. He owns a house south of Baseline in Boulder, which I'll presume is his residence. That's not any farther from Rocky Flats than parts of Louisville, and neither Louisville nor Boulder are near any recognized plume. In his mind, Boulder is safe because that's where he lives. Anywhere outside of Boulder he's not sure.

We lived in Louisville for 12 years, and not once do I recall this ever coming up in serious discussion, as in someone electing to not move there, or choosing to move away, because of Rocky Flats.

[NorthDenverGirl]

I would do your own research till you are comfortable. I will say that the main area of concern is in Arvada and the immediate area surrounding Rocky Flats. There are lots of different opinions out there and reading every single one will probably drive you crazy, just like anything.

If you have read enough to not feel comfortable in Louisville then I might look a little further north like Longmont. As stated above though Louisville never really comes up as a main area of concern.

[Sadhere]

If I could find accurate research i wouldn't be in question. I don't think it's possible to figure it out online. I've looked at several things and everything time I think I've read something reassuring I come across something to negate it. My family keeps telling me the Boulder Denver area is a thriving place and millions of people live there and if it was a real issue then it would be known. But if it takes years to develop cancer then it's not so simple to figure it out. I very much hope I'm worrying for no reason.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by hikernut

We lived in Louisville for 12 years, and not once do I recall this ever coming up in serious discussion, as in someone electing to not move there, or choosing to move away, because of Rocky Flats.

Correct. I've lived in Louisville 35 years including when Rocky Flats was running. It's not an issue.

Originally Posted by Sadhere

If I could find accurate research i wouldn't be in question. I don't think it's possible to figure it out online. I've looked at several things and everything time I think I've read something reassuring I come across something to negate it. My family keeps telling me the Boulder Denver area is a thriving place and millions of people live there and if it was a real issue then it would be known. But if it takes years to develop cancer then it's not so simple to figure it out. I very much hope I'm worrying for no reason.

It seems like you don't want to relocate to Colorado. You think Boulder looks "boring". Now you're concerned about Rocky Flats. Yes, cancer takes years to develop. Rocky Flats has been around for decades, including when it was running. There's little evidence that it's dangerous. I agree with hikernut about the professor.

[Sadhere]

If I ever said Boulder looked 'boring' it was from the videos I watched online. But that was speculation. I don't want defensive replies. Regardless, that has nothing to do with this particular thread. Moving to Colorado is not in my control now so it doesn't matter whether I like it a lot or not. My primary concern are the safety issues. I thought I came across info saying there was a higher rate of cancer with people who lived in the surrounding areas. But then I would read other things that seemed to contradict it- opposing views. It's all very confusing and hard to understand. I'm not good with science. So please bear with me. Anyway it seems so far that I'm getting the impression that the Louisville residents don't think about this and it's not an issue. But since Arvada is closer that place is more concerning.

[reed303]

Originally Posted by Sadhere

If I ever said Boulder looked 'boring' it was from the videos I watched online. But that was speculation. I don't want defensive replies. Regardless, that has nothing to do with this particular thread. Moving to Colorado is not in my control now so it doesn't matter whether I like it a lot or not. My primary concern are the safety issues. I thought I came across info saying there was a higher rate of cancer with people who lived in the surrounding areas. But then I would read other things that seemed to contradict it- opposing views. It's all very confusing and hard to understand. I'm not good with science. So please bear with me. Anyway it seems so far that I'm getting the impression that the Louisville residents don't think about this and it's not an issue. But since Arvada is closer that place is more concerning.

Exactly

I and my family ( and neighbors, etc) lived in Broomfield for 38 years (1973-2011).

None of us "glow in the dark".

[StealthRabbit]

just Walking across Colorado or NM soil (Hi Uranium content) gives you plenty of 'glow'

consider the farmers... many are dead.


Statistically, CO is not too high of a 'radiation inducted death march', and the SUN does not help your odds...

I do have a higher incidence of 'cancer-drop-dead' from my CO friends, but at some point we all fall.
Often it is not pretty, timely, or by a chosen path.

[wilberry]

and then there is Radon which has not killed me yet

Radon levels for Adams County

[TCHP]

I agree the radon issue is more pervasive throughout the state than the issues with Rocky Flats, as is the UV exposure from the elevation and the lack of atmosphere to filter it through.

I had relatives that lived in Superior from the turn of the last century until their natural deaths late in the 1990s. Living near the area for over 40 years during the height of operation did not seem to impact their overall health, well being, or longevity. Since most members of that branch of the family tended to make it to the 80-90 years of age in most instances, there was nothing unusual at all about their lives or deaths that could be attributed to living near the arsenal. Was everyone else that lived in the area so lucky, I have no idea.