To some, a museum in honor of Rocky Flats may seem a little odd. But to us, it’s both fitting and needed. The former nuclear bomb trigger facility has played an important part in the lives of many people who live in Colorado, and especially those who live in Jefferson County. The plant, at its height, employed thousands of workers. Its cleanup employed thousands more. Workers there have talked of their part in fighting the Cold War, and of doing their patriotic duty as workers. From 1952 to 1992, the plant was a major player in the state’s economy and the nation’s defense.
On the other side, the plant was responsible for allowing polluting water, soil and air in the area. Fires, spills and mismanagement were brought to light, as well as studies that showed the incidence of cancer was much higher for those who worked at the plant, and possibly those who lived in its shadow.
Rocky Flats also served as a model for how democracy works, and the fact that citizens do have a right to speak out against government projects they either dislike or fear. In 1983, an estimated 17,000 protesters showed up at the site to demonstrate against its operations, linking hands with the intent of circling the plant. The community’s vigilance in demanding answers and protection played a major role in its closure and ultimate cleanup.
Today, the area is designated as wildlife preserve, and has the potential to serve as a new model for reclaiming contaminated property.
Our kudos go to the organizers of the museum, and we appreciate their non-judgmental approach to the facility. The good, bad and ugly are slated to get equal exposure, and that’s how it should be. And it’s important to all of us that those elements aren’t allowed to slip away to the past, with their lessons unlearned.