What They Aren't Telling Us

Imagine residing in a community that pledges to uphold the principles of welfare and social equity we all value deeply—a place where the air is clean, peace is a given, and trust in our local governance isn't a luxury but a steadfast guarantee. Yet, the harsh reality we confront today is a jarring departure from these ideals. The Independence Overly Metropolitan District, burdened with the critical responsibility of safeguarding our community's welfare, offers a scant 24-hour notice for its meetings, relegated to a mere post on their website. This practice, which can only be condemned as arbitrary and capricious, effectively mutes our voices, rendering meaningful participation and the advocacy for our rights an uphill battle. How are we to ensure our concerns are recognized and addressed when given such fleeting notice?

Additionally, their sole effort to meet legal notification requirements for the existence of this task force was through a PDF document, hidden on their website. This method is starkly inadequate for disseminating such crucial information. It reeks of a deliberate ploy to keep us uninformed, almost as if the existence of the task force was a secret they wished to keep from us, their residents. This doesn't merely fall below our expectations; it feels like a profound betrayal, compelling us to question the value of our voices and concerns to those at the helm. This blatant disregard for transparency and accountability is not only disappointing but also deeply alarming, eroding the trust we have in our local governance.

The situation becomes even worse with the Independence Water & Sanitation District. This entity, charged with managing our vital water and sanitation services, operates two exceptionally large emergency backup generators that have bypassed the scrutiny of the Colorado Department of Public Health's Air Pollution Control Division. The failure to include these generators in the state's air permitting program is not a trivial oversight but a significant dereliction of duty on the part of the metro district, casting doubt on their commitment to our community's welfare and environmental stewardship. Each generator which is undoubtedly subject to federal regulations, especially those of considerable size, must be subjected to a thorough assessment for pollutants via the Air Pollution Emission Notice (APEN). This is essential to ensure our air quality meets health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standards, safeguarding social equity by protecting the most vulnerable among us.

This failure to assess the environmental impact of these generators uncovers a wider trend of regulatory neglect, potentially subjecting residents to harmful air pollutants. This issue transcends environmental concern, touching on public health, social equity, and the overall welfare of our community. The air we breathe could be at risk, placing the most significant burden on the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, something we shouldn't have to deal with after the traumatic COVID era. This raises a troubling question: What other regulatory duties are being overlooked by the Independence Metropolitan Districts and other similar districts?

As members of communities overseen by metropolitan districts, passivity is not an option. The well-being of our community, the pursuit of social equity, and the fundamental right to a healthy environment command our urgent focus and action. We demand a governance model from our metropolitan district that embodies transparency and accountability, ensuring environmental and health protections are not merely optional but a core aspect of their operations.

Now is the moment for us to come together, championing a call for exhaustive transparency and environmental scrutiny, insisting that the welfare of our community and the principles of social equity take precedence in our local governance. We must amplify our voices, engage with our community leaders, and advocate for the pristine, safe, and equitable environment we all rightfully deserve.

For an in-depth understanding of this issue and to explore more, please refer to the interactive map provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health: Interactive Air Quality Map. United, we stand as advocates for environmental integrity, social equity, transparency in our governing bodies, and the welfare of our community.