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B. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN COLORADO The State of Colorado faces a number of environmental and health protection challenges in the 1980's. The responsibility for managing and financing these programs is gradually being transferred to the States. Colorado confronts the ~ task of meeting these challenges in the wake of a large projected growth in ~ population. increased energy development. and heightened pressure to relax r'''' environmental contro ls. -..l Colorado's scenery, environment and vibrant economy draw thousands of new residents to the State each year. The Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel Report projects that Colorado's population will grow from 2,800,000 in 1980 to 3,500,000 in 1990 and 4,500.000 in 2000. Most of this growtn will occur along the Front Range and in Northwest Colorado. A corresponding decrease in environmental quality in these areas can be expected. unless measures are taken to plan for and mitigate the adverse environmental impacts associated with this growth. Colorado is an energy and mineral rich State with substantial reserves of coal, oil shale, oil, gas. uranium, molybdenum and various other metals and non-metals. Much of this development may occur in Northwest Colorado. The exploration, mining (or drilling), and processing of these resources--along with the growth associated with this development--could have substantial impact on air and water quality. Other potential problems include hazardous and nonhazardous waste disposal and excessive levels of radiation. The following discussion summarizes the major environmental health problems and issues facing Colorado: 1. Water Pollution I Water pollution in Colorado is a feature of natural and human-induced factors. The natural contributors include the presence of metals in many mountain streams. and to a lesser extent, salinity in the Colorado River and its tributaries and in the Arkansas River. Other natural contributions which can affect stream uses are suspended solids and radioactivity. Human-induced water pollution. a result of land and water use. is proportionately a much greater threat to the beneficial use of water in Colorado. The principal contributors are municipal and industrial wastewater discharges and runoff from agricultural activities and urban areas. Water pollution from these sources includes high levels of ammonia and fecal coliform bacteria. The ammonia levels have affected aquatic life in several Front Range and mountain valley streams. Fecal coliform levels exceed the standards for secondary contact recreation (boating and fishing) in some Front Range streams, including the lower South Platte and Arkansas rivers. Municipal wastewater discharges and agriculture contribute to high nutrient levels (nitrates and phosphates) found in these streams. The quality of some reservoirs and lakes have been threatened by these concentrations of these pollutants. -2-