Doctor asks Arapahoe County to halt Costco excavation near Littleton schools and order independent assessment

Dr. Gregory Sullivan, who identified himself as holding a doctorate in environmental management and systems, told the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners on June 24 that excavation and construction at "700 West Mineral Costco Place" have created acute environmental and health risks for nearby residents and children at two area schools.

Sullivan said contractors removed more than "1,000,000 cubic feet of soil" and were building 32 gas pumps at the site, which he said is within about 500 meters of residential neighborhoods and two schools, Littleton Academy and Primrose School of Littleton. He asserted the project generated diesel emissions, airborne particulates (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides and fuel vapors, and told the board that local schools were not notified and that more than 600 children were exposed.

"This is not simply a municipal land use matter," Sullivan said, and he urged the board to adopt a formal resolution recognizing the risks, halt further excavation, call for an independent environmental health impact assessment, and coordinate with state and municipal agencies to protect children and residents.

Sullivan’s remarks were delivered as public comment; the board did not take formal action on the request during the meeting. Commissioners did not debate the claims on the record at the June 24 session, and staff did not present independent technical findings at the hearing.