Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge

10808 Colorado 93, Golden, CO 80403, USA

Address:	10808 Colorado 93, Golden, CO 80403, USA
Phone:	+1 303-289-0232
Site:	fws.gov
Rating:	3.2

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 33

JC Randerson

Google Maps is doing a disservice to the public by misidentifying this area as Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge. The EPA describes this area, the former Rocky Flats nuclear processing facility, as the most toxic waste site in the country. The FBI closed Rocky Flats in a 1989 raid after decades of mismanagement by Dow and Rockwell. The facility released plutonium, americium, beryllium, etc into the surrounding air, soil and streams from several fires and improperly disposed waste. For more info just Google "Rocky Flats." The facility has impacted the Denver area permanently. The City of Westminsters website states the soil along Indiana Avenue and the sediments in Standley Lake are actively contaminated. Just this fall of 2016 a $375 million settlement for property owners around Standley Lake was announced. Whats tragic is no amount of money will change the 25,000 year half-life of their plutonium poisoned soil. Its crazy to read people want to bike and hike this area. The entire area needs to be permanently cordoned off for the safety of the public. In terms of even multiple human lifespans, thats forever.

Maureen Lavallee

The site of former plutonium pit/trigger production plant. Shoddy clean up and secrecy of hazardous health conditions are priorities to be aware of before setting foot on the place. Plutonium has a half life of 260,000 years!! So Colorado visitors be forewarned. Inhaling 0.01 grams of plutonium will remain in your body forever and can wreak all kinds of serious health problems (particularly cancer). So if youd like a little plutonium or radioactivity with your picnic, this is the place for you. If not, STAY AWAY!

Ann Parker

Dont kid yourself: This is an ACTIVE Superfund cleanup site. It is true that radiation does not affect the beautiful view, but I hope everyone will learn about the hazards of this former nuclear processing facility and then STAY AWAY. Do not expose your children to plutonium and call it a learning experience. Opening the area as a "wildlife refuge" is CYA for the government officials who allowed this contamination to happen in the first place and CYA the real estate developers with a vested interest in the area.

Megan Jones

"The site is contaminated with residual plutonium due to several industrial fires that occurred on the site and other inadvertent releases caused by wind at a waste storage area. The other major contaminant is carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Both of these substances affected areas adjacent to the site. In addition, there were small releases of beryllium and tritium, as well as dioxin from incineration."

Brian Fox

Yeah so this is an odd one... Historically this is one of the sites where the US manufactured triggers for nuclear weapons. Now after a stint as a Superfund cleanup site the land has been dedicated back to nature. The history here is rich and haunting. Its worth a brief visit but there is not much to see and they actually limit you time.

James Weingardt

Written out of care: Can you believe that Broomfield allowing homes downstream at Skystone development? Arvada building just to the South at Candelas? We have short half lives. Plutonium doesnt. Taylor Morrison, you made an error. Many homeowners dont even know they are downstream.

Steve Jeffrey

Never been to the site, but read enough on the history to not want to even get close, let alone down-wind at Denver. Burrowing animals kick up radiation all the time. As one reader said: EDUCATE YOURSELF! Why in the world would ANYONE want to be even close to this location????

Christopher Romero

When I can go there with a cold war era Geiger counter and it still pegs the needle. I can go to Stanley Lake which is down wind of Rocky Flats side and still pick up traces of plutonium. That area needs to be off limits indefinitely.

Chris Shurtleff

7 billion dollar clean up people, do you think the EPA would allow them to build there if there was a problem? Come on, they wont even allow dirt to go into the street on building sites. Use your heads.

Steven Lontine

Though The History Is Rough, Many Members Of My Family Worked There, If It Werent For My Grandmother And Grandfather Meeting At Rocky Flats I Wouldnt Be Alive To Enjoy The Beauty Of The Views Here.

Dale Simpson, Jr.

Seriously, a Refuge on still radioactive-contaminated land? Plus, its like Kansas with some hills. So, plus for having views of places you would rather be, but con for being radioactive. One star.

Loren Cordova

Really good views and a fun play ground. But the fact the there is nuclear waste over there makes it unsafe for people to live around it. But rich people will be rich people.

Eckhard Koehler

Dale has got the right of it. Having been educated on Rocky flats nuclear bomb trigger production site, and what is deemed a "clean" Superfund site. It should get NO stars

Tiffany Hansen

This area surrounds an active Super Fund site and is on the former Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons plant site buffer zone. Recreate elsewhere.

Diana S

Of all the beautiful places to hike in the area, why would you endanger yourself? Pretty area! Unfortunate history.

Dennis Haug

Wide open views of the city/suburbs as well as the foothills... great spot for watching the sunrise or sunset.

Isaiah Durian

Toxic and not safe. Rocky Flats has affected and is currently affecting all people in the area. Beware.

Bhaskar Mitra

Oh its really beautiful... You have to walk pretty much though but you dnt mind when you get that view

Ed Sadiković

Just some minor radiation, I mean the Rogaine should get the hair to grow back, right? .... Right?