As a Coloradan and fourth-generation sugar beet farmer, my relationship with the land and my livelihood depend on balancing healthy soil, vibrant crops, and clean water. Achieving this balance — and providing food to my neighbors here in Longmont — requires essential tools such as scientifically researched and tested pesticides. That’s why I’m concerned about Colorado Senate Bill 26-065, which would sharply restrict the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds across our state.
When I see calls at the Capitol to restrict these tools I don’t just see a policy debate; I see a sweeping proposal that risks ignoring the complexities of Colorado’s environmental and agricultural landscape.
While we ought to do everything we can to protect Colorado’s beautiful rivers and lakes, our state’s environmental policies must be rooted in sound science. The facts show that modern seed treatments are a targeted, low-impact tool for farmers, not a driver of water contamination…