CU Boulder students & Environment Colorado deliver nearly 24,000 petitions supporting an end to bee-killing neonic pesticides
Delivery comes as the state of Colorado is poised to consider renewal of pesticide regulations in 2023. 141 Colorado businesses, farmers, beekeepers and health experts also support the campaign so far.
As Colorado prepares to consider the renewal of the Pesticide Applicator Act in 2023, which governs pesticide use in Colorado, Environment Colorado kicked off their campaign to “Save the Bees” with an initial delivery of support to the Governor’s office calling for the state to eliminate the consumer sale of bee-killing neonic pesticides. The support includes 23,980 petitions from Coloradans across the state and 141 Colorado businesses, farmers, beekeepers and health experts so far.
Currently, nearly one in four native bee species nationally is imperiled by factors including bee-killing pesticides. One class of pesticides, neonicotinoids, or neonics, are particularly lethal to pollinators making it difficult for them to learn new skills, forage for food, and even find their way home.
“Bees play a crucial role in our lives. But as our society uses more pesticides, their populations are plummeting,” said Save the Bees Associate Sofia Anerousis, CU Boulder Class of ‘25“We know we need to end the worst use of the pesticides that are killing them. Nearly 24,000 Coloradans from Durango to Fort Collins agree. Together, we can save the bees.”
The loss of pollinators poses significant threats to ecosystems and food systems. A U.N. report found that almost 90 percent of wild plants and 75 percent of all food crops need animal pollinators to some extent. Of all pollinators, bees are nature’s best.
In 2023 the Pesticide Applicator Act, the law governing pesticide use is up for a sunset review. As part of the Act’s pending renewal, Environment Colorado is calling on the state to stop the consumer sale and use of bee-killing neonic pesticides, due to their lethal impacts on pollinators. They are also seeking to reduce the use of pesticides in sensitive areas like schools and to remove pre-emption for local governments, which would allow cities and counties to take additional action to protect communities from negative pesticide use.
“Bees are absolutely vital to the health of our planet’s ecosystems and without them, everyone suffers – including us,” added Spencer Henry, CU Boulder Class of ‘26. “As someone who cares deeply about our environment, I find it quite alarming that bees are dying off at a rapid rate – especially when there is something we can do about it, like banning bee-killing pesticides.”
Over the last three months, Environment Colorado staff and CU Boulder student volunteers hosted multiple community events, petitioning, and business sign-ons. The campus chapter’s GroupMe group chat has over 40 members. The support is clear, as thousands of Coloradans join the call to save the bees.
As the state with the fifth-most bee diversity, it is especially important to protect Colorado’s pollinators.
Over the next month, Environment Colorado staff and volunteers will be meeting with the Governor’s office, state legislators and other stakeholders to continue to build support to protect pollinators. Click here for more information on the Save the Bees campaign.
