[bouldercouncilhotline] Hotline: On NOT opening the door further to GMO Crops on Public Land in Boulder

[kohls at bouldercolorado.gov]

Sender: Cowles, Macon

I would like to schedule under "Matters" a discussion about sending a letter to the County stating the City's opposition to permitting GMO crops to be grown on Open Space lands of the City and the County. We do not permit them on City Open Space, and we should let the County know that we do not want them grown on jointly managed lands, and that we are opposed to opening County open space agricultural land to growing more genetically modified food. GMO corn is currently permitted on County land; and the County apparently is moving toward permitting Round Up Ready sugar beets and alfalfa as well. 

I have learned from the material under consideration by the County that the GMO corn being grown on County lands is sprayed with NINE pesticides during the course of its life cycle. This of course undercuts one of the major reasons for Monsanto's patented GMO corn: mainly, that it will result in lower pesticide use.

The growing of genetically modified organisms on public lands poses a risk of tarnishing the hard work and vibrant businesses in the organic and natural foods sector of the Boulder economy. This is a sector of which the entire community is proud, and represents a growing source of jobs, creativity and ideas, all of which are important to the local and regional economy.


Macon Cowles
Boulder City Councilor