421 pounds of trash pulled from confluence of S. Platte and Cherry Creek

October marks the 50th anniversary of the federal Clean Water Act, the bedrock clean water law that set a goal of eliminating pollution from the smallest streams to the mightiest rivers. To commemorate the law and shine a spotlight on the need for more action, dozens of volunteers from around Denver, many dressed in costumes, pulled out 421 pounds of trash from the confluence of the South Platte and Cherry Creek.

The event was hosted by Patagonia, Environment Colorado, Women in Sustainability and more. At the event, Environment Colorado staff gathered petitions to tackle plastic pollution – one of the leading materials that volunteers found in the waterways. From polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) to candy wrappers and grocery bags, these single-use plastics are used once but then can pollute waterways for centuries.

Happy Haynes, Director of Denver’s Parks and Recreation Department spoke at the event highlighting hundreds of millions of dollars that will be invested in the S. Platte ecosystem over the coming months.

Denver Parks and Recreation Director Happy Haynes updates river cleanup volunteers on big investments to support the ecosystems along the S. Platte in DenverPhoto by Staff | TPIN

You can sign a petition to reduce plastic pollution here.