Colorado community fights plan to use drones to spray weed killer
Summary
Boulder County plans to use drones to spray the herbicide indaziflam on hundreds of acres of Red Hill to control invasive weeds and reduce wildfire risk. Residents and some researchers oppose the plan, citing possible risks to people, wildlife, and water; a federal pesticide-law challenge to the county’s broader spraying plans was dismissed by a district court judge on October 9.Key Facts
- The county’s plan covers more than 2,000 acres, including land beyond Red Hill.
- The herbicide is indaziflam, sold under the brand name Rejuvra and developed by Bayer.
- County officials say removing invasive weeds will help protect native ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk.
- The county plan includes buffer zones near homes and measures intended to limit chemical drift.
- Two University of Colorado researchers published an article in June raising ecological and human health concerns about indaziflam and disputing the severity of the cited cheatgrass problem.
- Opponents have raised concerns about runoff into waterways and groundwater, as well as reports that Rejuvra contains PFAS.
- A group of local environmental advocates sued in 2024 over the county’s broader plans, arguing that spraying could violate federal pesticide labeling rules.
- The county paused a planned Red Hill spraying operation last year after community backlash, but the plan has since been revived.
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