Relocate Zebulon
Zebulon Sports Complex: Building on Restricted Land Is Not Legal or Safe
Bottom line: Parts of the proposed Zebulon Regional Sports Complex site overlap with areas of the Chemours/DuPont Louviers property that carry an active Notice of Environmental Use Restrictions (NEUR) due to past explosives manufacturing contamination. The State’s own records show contaminated soil and groundwater remain, and any future use must follow the State’s land-use restrictions. Douglas County+1
What the State says
On Nov. 10, 2022, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) issued a letter acknowledging residual contamination and approving a conditional closure for the Louviers site because a NEUR (environmental covenant) is in place—not a clean-slate clearance. Conditional closure is the policy CDPHE uses when groundwater remains contaminated above standards, meaning use is restricted and controls must be maintained. Douglas County+1
CDC/ATSDR health consultations for the DuPont-Louviers site document contaminated soils and groundwaterand explain that environmental covenants restrict activities (e.g., disturbing capped landfills, installing playgrounds/schools in certain areas) to protect public health. ATSDR+2ATSDR+2
EPA lists the Louviers facility under EPA ID: COD007060981 (DuPont de Nemours & Co., Louviers, CO). Cumulis
Why Zebulon’s current siting is a problem
Environmental use restrictions apply to specific SWMUs (Solid Waste Management Units) and other areas where wastes remain beneath caps or soil still contains hazardous residues. These restrictions prohibit digging, grading, or other disturbance and limit recreational/structural uses in defined areas to prevent exposure. ATSDR+2ATSDR+2
County materials place Zebulon on land near Moore Rd & Waterton Rd (between Sterling Ranch and Louviers)—i.e., in the footprint where the Louviers restrictions exist. Your overlay shows multiple ballfields/buildings crossing restricted zones; that would conflict with CDPHE’s NEUR conditions. (Location and project scope per County postings and recent news coverage.) Colorado Politics+4Douglas County+4Douglas County+4
Examples of relevant restrictions (from State/ATSDR records)
No digging, drilling, grading, or excavation on capped landfill SWMUs (disturbance can release contaminants).
No structures or recreational uses that could disturb soil in restricted areas.
No schools, parks, or playgrounds in designated SWMUs due to residual contamination and exposure risk. ATSDR+2ATSDR+2
A “conditional closure” is not a clean bill of health; it’s contingent on environmental covenants that must be honored in any redevelopment. Violating those conditions can create health risks and legal liability. CDPHE+1
How anyone can verify
Open CDPHE’s records portal and GIS map for hazardous sites; search EPA ID: COD007060981 (“DuPont/Chemours Louviers”). CDPHE
Read CDPHE’s Nov. 10, 2022 letter (references the NEUR and conditional closure). Douglas County
Review CDC/ATSDR Health Consultations for Louviers (soil/groundwater contamination and use restrictionsacross specific SWMUs). ATSDR+1
Compare those restricted areas to the County’s Zebulon site pages showing the general location along Waterton & Moore. Douglas County+1
Call to action
Ask the Douglas County Commissioners to relocate the complex to a site with major highway access that does not overlap restricted land. Proceeding at the current location ignores State-mandated covenants and puts families at risk.
