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Join the People and Pollinators Action Network to help with pollinator protection, community development, environmental policy, sustainable agriculture, and habitat management. Colorado Pollinator Month Fundraiser Every June, Colorado takes time to celebrate our pollinators and the many ways we can help protect them. To celebrate, we're launching My MILKWEED Brings All the BUGS to the Yard t-shirts! GET T-SHIRTS! VIEW OUR RECENT SUCCESSES » PLEDGE to Be Pesticide-Free Sign the Pollinator-Safe Properties Pledge Add your home, business, school, place of worship, community garden, or farm, to a map of safe havens for people, birds, pets, and pollinators. The map provides anonymized research data and inspires neighbors to join you. SIGN THE PLEDGE PROTECT Pollinators License Plate Every plate creates new habitat and grows this movement! Support pollinators everywhere you go by ordering Protect Pollinator specialty plates for your car or motorcycle. Plate donations fund PPAN's statewide Habitat Grants Program. ORDER PLATES PLANT a Habitat Garden Restore biodiversity, feed the bees, and enjoy the flowers! Whether you're 'Coloradoscaping' with all native plants, adding floral forage to your vegetable garden, or planting prairie strips on your farm, every single plant counts! Get involved in habitat gardening today! LEARN MORE RECENT POLLINATOR NEWS: Business Sponsor Spotlight: The Apiarian Home The Apiarian Home is a beeswax fragrance and apitherapy business based in Fort Collins. Their five fragrances are inspired by the intelligence of a honeybee colony. Each scent is drawn from a role and place within the colony. Like the hive itself, they are designed to collectively support your daily rhythms and rituals. Together, they form a holistic collection to bring the essence of nature into your home. Buy some of Apiarian Home products! A portion of every sale goes dir Happy Colorado Pollinator Month! Governor Polis has designated June as Colorado Pollinator Month to celebrate and raise awareness about the important roles that pollinators play in preserving biodiversity; agricultural productivity; and in sustaining the health of ourselves and our ecosystems! Join us in June each year for educational programs, community events, and conservation efforts throughout the state! AND, bring a friend to help spread awareness about how to ensure the health of these essential specie Mosquito Control: Science, Risks, and Solutions Webinar With a flier in the mail or a door-to-door sales visit, you’ll notice many mosquito control companies offering to spray your yard this time of year. Though this may seem like a quick and easy way to deal with mosquitoes, it’s often an ineffective control strategy. Worse, these insecticides are toxic to pollinators and other beneficial insects and may pose a risk to people, too. Check out the webinar recording below to learn about the risks residential mosquito sprays pose to Beat the Bite: 6 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away This Season Mosquitoes are annoying at best and a real health concern at worst— even though they are technically pollinators. But you don't have to just put up with them. A few targeted changes around your home and yard can dramatically cut down on bites with no chemicals required. Create a biodiverse landscape with native plants to encourage beneficial wildlife and natural mosquito predators, such as birds, bats and dragonflies . Eliminate standing water regularly from your property whe HB26-1132: Practices to Support Pollinators Approved by the Legislature! The legislative body has demonstrated a meaningful commitment to the conservation and restoration of our scenic landscapes– making Colorado even more colorful by passing, HB26-1332 Practices to Support Pollinators. What the Law Will Mean The 2024 Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study made something clear: habitat loss and non-native plants are some of the primary drivers of pollinator decline in Colorado. It also pointed to what the state should do about it– priori How Flowers Made Our World Webinar Flowers are revolutionaries. When flowering plants evolved, they swiftly transformed the planet, and their productivity sustains much of life today. From rainforests to prairies to seagrass meadows, much of the Earth’s diversity is now directly dependent on flowering plants. Without flowers, primates would not have evolved and our ancestors would never have ventured beyond the forest in grasslands. Using examples from his latest book, How Flowers Made Our World, David Haskell POLLINATOR GARDENS GALLERY Share your pollinator gardens with us! Take pictures of your gardens and send them to us and we may add them here to share with the world!

POLLINATOR SAFE BUSINESSES NoCO Nurseries MD Nurseries Support Pollinators at home: p lant native plants and don't use pesticides or herbicides to provide safe habitat. Find lists of suitable plants to support pollinators at the Colorado Native Plant Society or at XERCES Society's websites below: Colorado Native Plant Society Shop at Pollinator Safe Retailers! Use these Pollinator Safe Businesses and tell them we sent you! What? How are plants not safe for bees? Sadly, it has become an industry-wide practice to preventatively treat nursery plants with systemic pesticides that persist in the plant and soil. A class of systemics called Neonicotinoids (or Neonics) are of particular concern to bees and have become ubiquitous in the industry. Research shows that these toxins can persist in plants from 18 months to 3 years, slowly adding to the toxic load of insects using their flowers for pollen and nectar. As more and more people, communities, and neighborhoods pledge to be “pollinator safe,” consumers want to make sure that the plants and garden products they buy will not harm pollinators. We are continually building our list of Colorado businesses that have pledged to carry pollinator safe plants and products. Nonetheless, it is always important to ask the staff at these businesses whether plants or soil have been treated already with pesticides and whether the plants you are interested in will attract pollinators. You can also ask your favorite nursery for more information and for more transparency about growing practices and plant sources. Please see the lists below of pollinator safe retailers, landscape and lawn care providers, tree care companies, farms, and food companies. We will keep adding to this list! A good rule of thumb is to buy organic. All products labeled “organic” should be free of pesticides. Click the icons below to see our most recent pollinator-safe nursery lists for Metro Denver and Northern Colorado! XERCES.org Arvada Nurseries Echter’s Nursery 5150 Garrison St. Arvada, CO 80002 Giambrocco and Sons Garden Center 14005 W 64th Ave. Arvada, CO 80004 Boulder Nurseries BBB seeds 6595 Odell Pl. Boulder, CO 80301 Growing Gardens 1630 Hawthorn Ave. Boulder, CO 80304 Harlequin’s Gardens 4795 N. 26th St. Boulder, CO 80301 Simply Bee Conservation Serves the whole Front Range Urban Farm 2244 Spruce St. Boulder, CO 80302 Longmont Nurseries Fresh Herb Company 4114 Oxford Rd. Longmont, CO 80504 Flower Bin 1805 Nelson Rd. Longmont, CO 80501 Other Colorado & Online Stores Alpaca Gold Organic Fertilizer alpacagold13@gmail.com | (970) 640-0127 Birdstory Nursery birdstorynursey@gmail.com | Paonia, CO Indian Peaks Ace Hardware 74 Hwy 119 South, Nederland, CO 80466 Urban Garden 619 N 96th St. Louisville, CO 80027 Garden Design, Landscaping & Lawn Care Bee Good Gardening beegoodgardensco@gmail.com | (719) 290-3547 | Colorado Springs ClimateScaping info@climatescaping.com | Front Range Earth Love Gardens aaron@earthlovegardens.com | (720) 295-8582 | Front Range Eco-Designs for Life info@eco-designsforlife.com | (720) 324-6706 | Longmont EcoLogical Lawn and Tree Care info@ecologicallawncare.com | (303) 444-3456 | Boulder Ecoscape Environmental Design admin@ecoscapedesign.com | (303) 447-2282 | Boulder County Edaphic Solutions connect@edaphicsolutions.com | (720) 633-5072 | State-Based Ford Construction and Landscaping ford.janaka@gmail.com | (303) 939-9759 | Boulder Grow Boulder hello@grow-boulder.com | (720) 453-0886 | Boulder Honeywood Garden Design info@honeywoodgardendesign.com | Denver Meadowlark Garden Design jskilby@gmail.com | (970) 260-0355 | Northern CO Meadow Pro curtis@meadowpro.com | (720) 635-9398 | Lafayette Oasis alex@plantanoasis.org | Denver One Earth Landscapers jim@oneearthlandscape.com | (303) 545-9231 | Boulder County Roaming Roots Garden roamingrootsgarden@gmail.com | Boulder and Longmont Timberline Gardens Landscaping shelly.beyer0087@gmail.com | Metro-Denver Area The Barefoot Gardener barefootgardener@gmail.com | (720) 340-8425 | Boulder True Nature Gardens LLC emily@truenaturegardens.com | (970) 430-6873 | Fort Collins Urban Oasis info@urbanoasisdesign.com | (303) 823-2389 | Boulder WaterSHED watershedlandscape@gmail.com | (303) 668-9201 | Longmont Wild by Design mimi.elmore@wildbydesignhabitats.com | (303) 823-0856 | Lyons Wild Harvest Company samantha@wildharvestcompany.com | (720) 743-4633 | Denver Wild Rose Landscaping ellie@wildroselandscaping.com | Denver Tree Care Bees and Trees Inc. Chad Street, Arborist | info@beesandtreesinc.com | (303) 669-9520 Berkelhammer Tree Experts Fred Berkelhammer | fred@berkelhammer.com | (303) 443-1233 Colorado Tree Care Will Pittenger | (303) 499-3722 Steven Pfeiffer, Arborist (303) 449-3349 Pollinator Safe Farms & Food Companies Aspen Moon Farms 8020 Hygiene Rd, Longmont, CO 80503 Bee Squared Apiaries Berthoud, CO Black Cat Bistro & Farm 1964 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80302 Cure Organic Farm 7416 Valmont Rd, Boulder, CO 80301 First Fruits Organic Farms 40565 O Rd, Paonia, CO 81428 Grow Girl Organics Farm 12229 W 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005 Honeyacre Enterprises Ltd. 8052 Co Rd I, Wiggins, CO 80654 Oxford Gardens 10145 Oxford Road, Longmont, CO 80504 FOE Bee-Friendly Retailer Card If you want to take the pledge to be pollinator safe and have your company appear on this list, email joyce@peopleandpollinators.org

Welcome to Colorado Pollinator Month! This is the time to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of pollinators and their critical role in our ecosystems. COLORADO POLLINATOR MONTH June is Colorado Pollinator Month Since 2017, at PPAN's behest, the Governor’s office has designated the entire month of June as Colorado Pollinator Month to celebrate our state’s biodiversity and raise awareness about the important roles that pollinators play in preserving ecosystems and human health, as well as agricultural productivity. POLLINATOR MONTH EVENTS » READ PROCLAMATION PDF » Participate In Colorado Pollinator Month Get a CO Pollinator Month T-Shirt Every purchase supports PPAN! Each June, Colorado takes time to celebrate our pollinators and the many ways we can help protect them. To celebrate, we're launching limited edition My MILKWEED Brings All the BUGS to the Yard t-shirts that you can only get during Colorado Pollinator Month! GET SHIRTS PLEDGE to Be Pesticide-Free Sign the Pollinator-Safe Properties Pledge Add your home, business, school, place of worship, community garden, or farm, to a map of safe havens for people, birds, pets, and pollinators. The map provides anonymized research data and inspires neighbors to join you. SIGN THE PLEDGE PROTECT Pollinators License Plate Every plate creates new habitat and grows this movement! Support pollinators everywhere you go by ordering Protect Pollinator specialty plates for your car or motorcycle. Plate donations fund PPAN's statewide Habitat Grants Program. ORDER PLATES PLANT a Habitat Garden Restore biodiversity, feed the bees, and enjoy the flowers! Whether you're 'Coloradoscaping' with all native plants, adding floral forage to your vegetable garden, or planting prairie strips on your farm, every single plant counts! Get involved in habitat gardening today! LEARN MORE Report Your Bug Sightings All Month & Join Us for The Big Day of Bugs Post your photos of pollinators daily on iNaturalist, a community science project: Post on iNaturalist » More about Community Science » Our June Pollinator Month Events: Multiple Dates Metro Denver PPAN Chapter Meeting Wed, Jun 10 https://forms.gle/hS6eJ5sZdVsmYK5X8 More info RSVP Multiple Dates Northern Colorado PPAN Chapter Meeting Wed, Jun 10 https://forms.gle/hS6eJ5sZdVsmYK5X8 More info Learn more Multiple Dates SoCoPPAN Chapter Meeting Thu, Jun 11 Zoom More info RSVP Mothapalooza: A Magical World of Moths! Thu, Jun 11 Beech Shelter More info RSVP Louisville Bee City USA Pollinator Garden Tour Sat, Jun 13 Louisville More info RSVP Conservation Gardens Fair Sat, Jun 13 Northern Water More info RSVP 6th Annual Ollin Farms Pollinator Safe Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 13 Ollin Farms More info RSVP Harlequin's Gardens x Wild Ones: Getting Started with Natives Sun, Jun 14 Harlequin's Gardens More info RSVP Understanding and Protecting Fireflies Webinar Wed, Jun 17 Webinar More info RSVP Harlequin's Gardens: Organic Lawn Management Sun, Jun 21 Harlequin's Gardens More info RSVP Big Day of Bugs 2026 Fri, Jun 26 Denver Botanic Gardens More info RSVP Harlequin's Gardens: Water-Wise Landscaping Sun, Jun 07 Harlequin's Gardens More info Details Blooms & Buzz Wash Park East Garden Tour Sat, Jun 06 Washington Park More info Details Ollin Farms: Pollinator Festival Sat, Jun 06 Ollin Farms More info Details Lyons Pollinator Power! Sat, Jun 06 Sandstone Park More info Details Spring Plant Sale + Rock & Reuse Sat, Jun 06 Resource Central: Reuse & Conservation More info Details FoCo EcoFest & Xeriscape Garden Party Sat, Jun 06 Washington Park More info Details EVENT CALENDAR Learn About Colorado’s Unique Native Pollinators COLORADO NATIVE POLLINATING INSECTS HEALTH STUDY Learn more about Colorado insects on this interactive map BELOW. Roll over or click on the insects to learn more and also view the Pollinator Study and the state bill that made it possible. Insects, often underestimated, play a remarkable role in our state's landscapes. Not only are they cool, but they are also vital contributors to essential ecosystem services. From pollination to waste decomposition, insects support Colorado's diverse landscapes, from the mountains to the rivers. Join us as we delve into the world of this fascinating wildlife and learn about the Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Study (2024) report! Margined Calligrapher Syrphid Flies (Toxomerus marginatus) are widely distributed across North America, from Canada to Mexico. LEARN MORE Rollover the insects above to learn about them Illustrations by Faith Williams Dyrsten The Colorado Hairstreak butterfly (Hypaurotis crysalus) became our official state insect in 1996, thanks to a campaign led by Colorado 4th graders! LEARN MORE Tegeticula yuccasella , a species of Yucca Moth , shares an important mutualistic relationship with Soapweed Yucca. LEARN MORE Bombus occidentalis, the Western Bumblebee , inhabits a wide array of environments in western North America—from lowland agricultural areas to high alpine meadows. LEARN MORE The Pueblo Digger Bee (Anthophora pueblo) is named in honor of the ancestral Pueblo peoples, who built cliff dwellings in the Four Corners region more than 700 years ago. LEARN MORE The Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria) stands out with its eye-catching metallic blue-black color LEARN MORE American Rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina americana) add a splash of color to stream and river habitats across North America. LEARN MORE Dufourea maura (Black Short-faced Bees) are specialists on one of Colorado’s most eye-catching wildflowers – the Harebell (Campanula sp. )! LEARN MORE Agapostemon coloradinus (the Colorado Striped Sweat Bee ) is a colorful creature named after a colorful state! LEARN MORE Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetles (Cicindela theatina) , named for their distinctive coloring and predatory behaviors, are found only in Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park. LEARN MORE The Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis) has dramatic transparent wings, fuzzy striped bodies, and a hovering flight pattern. LEARN MORE Xenoglossa strenua is one species of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly known as Squash Bees. LEARN MORE Vella fallax belongs to a group of insects called Antlions. Larvae construct pit traps in loose soil and lie in wait just beneath the surface for ants or other insects to fall in. LEARN MORE Parallel Leaf Cutter Bee (Megachile parallela ) is a solitary species with remarkable architectural skills and a strong preference for sunflowers. LEARN MORE The Hunt Bumble Bee (Bombus huntii ) is one of Colorado’s distinctive medium sized bumblebees with a colorful rust-orange band on their fuzzy rump. LEARN MORE Though not native to North America, honey bees (Apis mellifera ) have become integral to Colorado's agricultural landscape, particularly in alfalfa production across the state's eastern plains. LEARN MORE The Twelve Spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella ) is a large, conspicuous dragonfly commonly found around Colorado's ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams where sedges grow along the water's edge. LEARN MORE The Uncompahgre Fritillary (Boloria acrocnema ) is one of Colorado’s rarest butterflies and is federally listed as an Endangered Species. LEARN MORE MORE ABOUT THE STUDY »

Find out how to maximize your impact and minimize your taxes, all while supporting pollinators, biodiversity and future generations. Planned Giving Maximize Your Impact & Minimize y our Taxes Consider these tax-beneficial ways to support pollinators, biodiversity & future generations! Give through your IRA If you are 73 years of age or older, you are required to take an annual income withdrawal—aka a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA. Using your RMD for good—like supporting PPAN —via a Qualified Charitable Distribution/IRA rollover—can be a tax-advantageous way to give and may provide you with greater tax savings than a cash donation. Give through a Donor-Advised Fund Donor-advised funds are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the United States. You can give cash or non-cash assets—stock, real estate, cryptocurrency, IPOs etc.—to a new or existing donor-advised fund and begin recommending grants to your favorite nonprofits immediately. Doing so generally makes you eligible to take an immediate tax deduction. Already have a DAF? Recommend your gift using our DAF donation form on this page! Make a Gift of Stock Transferring shares of appreciated stocks and mutual funds directly to either a donor-advised fund or to a charitable nonprofit organization helps you potentially eliminate capital gains. Make a Charitable Bequest Leave a portion of your estate—cash, stock, or other asset—to PPAN in your will. This is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to provide ongoing support for the protection of pollinators, biodiversity, and the health of future generations after your lifetime. If you do so, please inform us of your plans at the email below. Questions or need assistance? (720) 593-6303 or emily@peopleandpollinators.org PPAN does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please be sure to talk to a professional tax advisor or accountant. Once you've done so, provide them with our info: PPAN • PO Box 355 • Niwot, CO 80544 Tax ID #47-2260229

Find out what People and Pollinators Action Network has been accomplishing in our news blog. NEWS STAY UP-TO-DATE ON PPAN HAPPENINGS HERE & ON SOCIAL MEDIA Business Sponsor Spotlight: The Apiarian Home The Apiarian Home is a beeswax fragrance and apitherapy business based in Fort Collins. Their five fragrances are inspired by the intelligence of a honeybee colony. Each scent is drawn from a role and place within the colony. Like the hive itself, they are designed to collectively support your daily rhythms and rituals. Together, they form a holistic collection to bring the essence of nature into your home. Buy some of Apiarian Home products! A portion of every sale goes dir Happy Colorado Pollinator Month! Governor Polis has designated June as Colorado Pollinator Month to celebrate and raise awareness about the important roles that pollinators play in preserving biodiversity; agricultural productivity; and in sustaining the health of ourselves and our ecosystems! Join us in June each year for educational programs, community events, and conservation efforts throughout the state! AND, bring a friend to help spread awareness about how to ensure the health of these essential specie Mosquito Control: Science, Risks, and Solutions Webinar With a flier in the mail or a door-to-door sales visit, you’ll notice many mosquito control companies offering to spray your yard this time of year. Though this may seem like a quick and easy way to deal with mosquitoes, it’s often an ineffective control strategy. Worse, these insecticides are toxic to pollinators and other beneficial insects and may pose a risk to people, too. Check out the webinar recording below to learn about the risks residential mosquito sprays pose to Beat the Bite: 6 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away This Season Mosquitoes are annoying at best and a real health concern at worst— even though they are technically pollinators. But you don't have to just put up with them. A few targeted changes around your home and yard can dramatically cut down on bites with no chemicals required. Create a biodiverse landscape with native plants to encourage beneficial wildlife and natural mosquito predators, such as birds, bats and dragonflies . Eliminate standing water regularly from your property whe HB26-1132: Practices to Support Pollinators Approved by the Legislature! The legislative body has demonstrated a meaningful commitment to the conservation and restoration of our scenic landscapes– making Colorado even more colorful by passing, HB26-1332 Practices to Support Pollinators. What the Law Will Mean The 2024 Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study made something clear: habitat loss and non-native plants are some of the primary drivers of pollinator decline in Colorado. It also pointed to what the state should do about it– priori How Flowers Made Our World Webinar Flowers are revolutionaries. When flowering plants evolved, they swiftly transformed the planet, and their productivity sustains much of life today. From rainforests to prairies to seagrass meadows, much of the Earth’s diversity is now directly dependent on flowering plants. Without flowers, primates would not have evolved and our ancestors would never have ventured beyond the forest in grasslands. Using examples from his latest book, How Flowers Made Our World, David Haskell What’s on Your Plate? A Quick Guide to the Dirty Dozen Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce , highlighting what’s known as the “ Dirty Dozen ”, a list of fruits and veggies that tend to carry the highest levels of pesticide residues. Photo from EWG. And it’s not just obscure items—it’s some of our everyday staples. Strawberries, spinach, kale, grapes, apples… foods many of us toss into our carts without a second thought. To be clear, this isn’t about scaring anyon Say NO 🚨 to PFAS on CO public lands and YES to growing, eating, growing and legislating native plants! Happy spring, pollinator people! As the equinox approaches, we hope you're finding that elusive balance between care for the earth and concern for our fellow earthlings. If you do find yourself wavering, we invite you to go outside and say hello to an emerging plant, look for the first buzzing insects (who will definitely be out and about with this week's high temps), and support pollinators in whatever ways you can—through loving , learning , and supporting policies that pr Safer, Not Sicker: Why Strong Protections from Toxic Chemicals Matter Under the Trump administration, the office that approves pesticides remains fully staffed and moving faster than ever. The office that fact-checked those approvals is gone. The EPA has eliminated its Office of Research and Development — the division responsible for the independent science used to evaluate industry-submitted safety claims — while accelerating pesticide approvals , renewing approval of the drift-prone herbicide dicamba , and invoking the Defense Production Ac Tell Food Companies to Reject GMO Wheat! Post written by Friends of the Earth . What if you found out the wheat in your bread, pasta, and cereal was genetically engineered and sprayed with a TOXIC herbicide? This could soon become our reality if we don’t act. A new kind of genetically engineered (GMO) wheat was just approved in the U.S., and we need to stop it before it enters our food system. This new GMO wheat – called HB4 – is engineered to tolerate glufosinate, a highly toxic herbicide banned in the European Un Edible Native Plants of Colorado Webinar Discover how Colorado’s native plants can nourish both people and pollinators! In this webinar, we’ll dive into Colorado-native plants you can eat, why they matter for local ecosystems, and how to grow vegetables in ways that actively support pollinators. Participants will gain region-specific guidance, garden design tips, and actionable steps to create productive gardens that give back to wildlife. View Idelle's Slides | View Rob's Slides Thank you to our speakers! Idelle F Bee Survival Struggles: The Role of Neonics Webinar Check out this webinar from the Seed We Need Coalition, NRDC, the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association, and PPAN on Bee Survival Struggles: The Role of Neonics . This webinar features Judy Wu-Smart from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Judy Wu-Smart has degrees in Zoology and Entomology, and she has researched the effects of pesticide residue accumulation in brood comb on honey bee health. Her PhD research examined the effects of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides on hon Today is the day to Save the SEED Act ☎️ + Pollinator News & Events Hi there, changemakers. The "Strengthening Economic and Environmental Decisions" (SEED) Act—SB26-065—needs your help today. The CO Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee will vote this Thursday (2/26) on whether to kill the bill in Committee or send it on for a full debate on the Senate floor. Now is the time to call the members of the 'Ag Committee' and tell them why you want them to advance SB26-065 (sponsored by Senators Wallace and Kipp and Representatives Brow Inside the Colorado Legislature: Pollinator Protection in the 2026 Session Webinar & Resources Colorado’s 2026 legislative session is underway– and several important bills could have lasting impacts on pollinators, wildlife, and native habitats. The webinar will feature: An overview of the legislative process and the legislative outlook A closer look at three of PPAN’s Legislative Priorities: Native Plant Bill, HB26-1132 : expanding state access to and use of native plants Rodenticide Bill, SB26-062 : prohibiting toxic rodenticides The SEED Act, SB26-065 : limiting us From vegetables to a community by Becky Dickson By Rebecca Dickson, PPAN board chair and vice chair of the Sierra Club-Indian Peaks Group Our city and our nation face many challenges right now: concerns about the environment, locally, nationally, internationally; issues with the quality of our food, from pesticide toxins to forever chemicals to microplastics. And nutritious food is more expensive than ever. On top of this, the national turmoil just does not stop. It can leave us all feeling alienated and alone and powerle Time to call your legislators for pollinators & environmental health ☎️ Through the Colorado Environmental Health Coalition, PPAN is supporting 9 important bills—from pesticides to plastic pollution to wildlife to energy systems. Read on for ways to get involved and more pollinator news! 🐝 📰 😊 Read our February 10th Newsletter below: Hi there, Colorado ~ During last November's Pollinator Summit, the audience was polled, and only 17% of those present expressed interest in advocacy, but almost 70% were interested in habitat work. You can't have International Women’s Beekeeping Day: Following What We Love, Building What’s Possible International Women’s Beekeeping Day is a chance to celebrate the women who care for bees, steward land, and show up every day for pollinators — often simply by following what they love. Photo from Loveland Reporter-Herald. For many women in beekeeping, the work has never been about breaking barriers for the sake of it. It’s been about curiosity, care, and commitment. As PPAN board member and longtime beekeeper Beth Conrey shared, “I just did what I loved — [it] had nothing Glyphosate Safety Study Retracted Due to Ethics Problems Photo from U.S. Right to Know A new piece from U.S. Right to Know just revealed that a major scientific study used to justify glyphosate’s safety has been retracted over serious ethics issues. It turns out the “independent” authors were actually Monsanto employees, quietly advancing the pesticide industry’s agenda. If you want the full story, you can check out the article here . READ THE ARTICLE! Save Beer! 🍻 Why removing toxic pesticides matters — even for your favorite pint Photo from Green America. Here in Colorado, beer isn’t just a drink -- it’s part of our culture. From local taprooms and festivals to mountain hikes capped off with a cold one, beer brings people together. But behind every brew is an agricultural system that can either help or harm our environment. That’s why PPAN, along with other aligned organizations, is proud to partner with Green America's “Save Beer!” c The Pollinators of the Night: Why Bats Matter & How To Support Them Webinar and Resources From sustaining desert ecosystems to supporting agricultural economies, bats are essential pollinators and pest managers. Yet, their contributions are often overlooked, and many species face growing threats. Join PPAN by checking out the webinar below with Dr. Kristen Lear, Director of Bat Conservation International’s (BCI) Agave Restoration Initiative. Dr. Lear will highlight the ways bats support biodiversity and human well-being, share updates on BCI’s conservation work, a Growing Climate Leaders: Pollinators at the DPS Fall Garden Festival Last week, we had the joy of joining the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Sustainability Team at their Fall Garden Festival—a celebration of... Celebrating a Decade of Pollinator Progress at the 10th Annual Colorado Pollinator Summit: Empowered for Pollinators We are thrilled to announce the 10th Annual Colorado Pollinator Summit , taking place November 13–14, 2025 , at Williams Village, CU... PPAN's Annual Bumblebee Bash Thank you all for a great 2025 Bumble Bee Bash! We surpassed our fundraising goal and had so much fun celebrating with you all! 🥂🐝🥂... Back to School: Kids and Pollinators–Creating a Statewide Movement Webinar & Resources School’s almost back in session, which is a great time to talk about how we can make schoolyards safer and healthier for both kids and... Pollinators Meet Grasshopper & Mormon Cricket Management Webinar & Resources You might be repelled by grasshoppers or Mormon crickets, but can you take a moment to learn about their surprising ecological value... Community Science in Action: Exploring Nature with iNaturalist Webinar Check out PPAN's June 2025 webinar below to discover how community science supports biodiversity and pollinators. PPAN Board Member and... June is Colorado Pollinator Month – Let’s Celebrate! Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and bats keep our ecosystems—and our food systems—thriving. Every June, Colorado takes time to celebrate our pollinators and the many ways we can help protect them. View our main Colorado Pollinator Month page for all of the upcoming events this year: Thanks to years of advocacy and partnership, June has officially been recognized as Colorado Pollinator Month since 2017. People and Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) worked with Governor Joh Pollinators After Dark: How Light Pollution Impacts the Night Shift Webinar Recording & Resources When we think of pollinators, bees and butterflies usually come to mind—but there's a whole other crew that works the night shift. Moths,... Cultivating Change: How Gardening In Your Place Grows the World Better Webinar Takeaways How is gardening a tool for social and political change? What does it mean to say "gardening is for everyone" in this time and place?... Gardening for Reptiles & Amphibians Webinar Recording Are snakes cute? Cameron Young from My Nature Lab seems to think so! Ecosystems are full of complex, layered interactions - even... Native Plants in Permaculture Webinar Recording & Resources Just as Amy Scanes-Wolfe mentioned in PPAN's Native Plants in Permaculture webinar on February 27th, there is no such thing as "leave no... PPAN's Legislative Breakfast On January 24th, 2025, PPAN had the honor of hosting a Legislative Breakfast for Colorado state legislators, bringing together a room... Propagation in Practice: Expert Panel Perspectives Webinar Resources Watch the recording and access resources shared during this popular webinar on native plant propagation at home. We have work to do, together. As Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us in The Serviceberry, “The practice for dealing with abundance is to give it away.” Organic Turf Park Transitions As we close out the summer season, PPAN is excited to announce new wins for organic turf transitions at the municipal level. The cities... Help Us Prove That Pesticides Are Overused in Ag — Tell Your Farmer Friends! What’s bad for bugs is bad for birds, as our partner organization, the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), well knows! ABC is launching its... A Full Fall for Pollinator Conservation Greetings PPAN Community, Between this week’s Harvest Moon, the chickadees and goldfinches going crazy over the sunflowers, and the... Ways to Support PPAN! Reading and Roadtripping to Support Pollinators We are thrilled to be launching PPAN’s online bookshop , where 10% of every purchase you... A Celebration of Community & Biodiversity Despite the record heat and drought we’re experiencing, we have so much to celebrate this month (July)! Reflecting on a very successful... Northglenn's Fox Run Natural Area Check out the demonstration garden at Fox Run Natural Area in Northglenn. This demo garden was installed in partnership with the City of... 2024 Habitat Fund Grantees We're excited to announce our 2024 pool of Habitat Fund grantees! This second round of grant-making was a difficult one as we were... Your Favorite New Tee! Now through June 30 th you can purchase this soft, sustainable, Allmade , heavyweight tee—with a trendy unisex fit—sure to become a... Local Control Bill, Dead We heard your voices clearer than ever this year—and we thank you! We thank all of you who contacted your legislators and local leaders,... Invertebrates & Rare Plants Bill Passes! We are thrilled to inform you that House Bill 24-1117 — the bill that adds rare plants and invertebrates to the species that may be... Pollinator-Friendly Businesses! Own a business? This June, consider participating in Colorado Pollinator Month to showcase your company's commitment to sustainability... Protect Our Pollinators Habitat Fund We're excited to announce that our second grant-making cycle is now open! The Protect our Pollinators Habitat Fund —funded by sales of... What's New at PPAN? Wondering what’s new at PPAN in regards to our current policy work , 2024 habitat grants , and the new Insects Study ? Read on! Local... A Win for Insects! Colorado's Native Pollinating Insects Health Study has set the stage for a new bill! Titled the Invertebrates & Rare Plants Parks &... Colorado Pollinator Profiles Colorado's new Native Pollinating Insects Health Study was released at the start of this year! In conjunction, PPAN will be... Local Control Bill Introduced! Earlier this month, the Local Government Authority to Regulate Pesticides bill HB24-1178 was introduced at the State Legislature. The... 1 2 3

There are many factors contributing to our concern for pollinators as well as for people. Join us to help preserve biodiversity! Everyone can make a difference. KEY PROBLEMS Why are we concerned and need to take action? There are many factors contributing to our concern for pollinators as well as for people. Most of the challenges for the health of pollinators also affect people and in fact, the potential decline of pollinators has direct consequences for human survival as well. Let’s first start with - what are pollinators? They are a broad set of species – mostly insects, but also birds, bats and other species – that are responsible for a great deal of plant reproduction. Many plant species require an external organism to move pollen from the male part of the plant to the female part to reproduce. This organism is often an insect that feeds on the pollen and, in the process, moves some of that pollen around, enabling the plant to reproduce. The most well-known and iconic species that perform this service for plants are the honey bee and various butterflies, especially the monarch. However, there are thousands of native bees, many hundreds of species of butterflies and many other insects and birds that also do this both in our agricultural production and in our natural ecosystems. Honey bees are typically managed in hives by people and in the U.S., and are an introduced species from Europe. The other species are typically less social and nest in various types of locations and are not usually managed by people. Often this distinction between their “lifestyles” is framed as managed pollinators that can be thought of as more similar to livestock versus native ones that are wild. With that basic introduction, what are we worried about? Biodiversity on our Planet Biodiversity is key to healthy ecosystems on our planet. When we talk about biodiversity, we’re talking about having enough varied species of living beings: from the tiniest cellular organisms to insects to plants, birds, mammals and humans. We rely on this diversity to make a healthy and interconnected web of species. We need this diversity for ecosystem health as well human health, yet it is often threatened by multiple factors: Monocultures – think about big green lawns with no flowers or big agricultural systems that have one crop covering thousands of acres and only blooms for a short period of time or in some cases not permitted to bloom at all. Read more about monocultures » Habitat loss – when we develop areas for human habitation, agriculture or for large business needs, that habitat is not available for the species that used to live there. Food sources disappear and these species cannot find enough to eat. Pesticide misuse, overuse and unnecessary use – when we eliminate species that we consider pests, we reduce biodiversity. This is tricky since insect pests or invasive weeds can negatively affect agriculture, yet when we use pesticides to address the issue, we may be eliminating desirable species as well. And those “bad” species are generally food for something out there as well. Pesticide overuse can apply to agricultural practices, to homeowner usage, or to public lands management. Climate change – Our climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, ice caps are melting. These temperature changes impact available food sources for many pollinators and the ability of species to live in certain areas. For instance, if plants bloom earlier in the year due to warmer climates and insect pollinators have not yet emerged from their winter nests it leads to a mismatch in available ecological services. BIODIVERSITY All of these pressures on pollinator species can combine to have implications for their health. Pesticides can affect neurological functioning and their ability to navigate. Not enough food can make them weak and lessen their immune response. With respect to honeybees especially, pests such as varroa mites and the diseases they can carry are more likely to run rampant when immune systems are compromised and colonies are weak. All of these species might be able to withstand one of these pressures, but together, it is a critical time for their health. FOOD PROUCTION How do we address this potentially devastating combination of challenges, in the context of our current society, to protect both pollinator and human health? Our Food Production Systems Our agricultural systems have changed a great deal in the past 50 plus years. Where we used to have a significant number of smaller family farms with crop diversity, we often have large-scale industrial agriculture. While this may be a more efficient way to farm, it isn’t necessarily best for the environment nor does is necessarily provide increased yields or healthier food. Pesticide use has also increased dramatically. This includes insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides. While pesticides are often considered essential to farming, the results can cause environmental damage. A relatively new class of insecticides are the neonicotinoids. These are systemic pesticides that can cause an entire plant to have the pesticide within it – leaves, pollen, etc. While the pesticide is intended for certain species, it does not necessarily discriminate and increasingly, studies show that there are both direct and long-term unintended consequences for non-target species such as bees, butterflies and birds. Herbicide use has increased, especially with the prevalence of GMO crops that are “roundup ready”. For example, more than 90% of corn grown in the US is genetically modified in this way. This allows farmers to eliminate weeds with broad spraying practices because the crops are not susceptible to the herbicide application. Unfortunately, some weeds are developing resistance and more critically, new scientific studies are showing that ingestion of herbicides can have a negative effect on pollinators as well. Millions of acres in the U.S. are covered with crops that are planted with seeds coated with neonicotinoids. These seeds make the entire plant potentially poisonous. However, these coated seeds are not regulated by the E.P.A as a pesticide. This is true for corn, soybeans and many other large monoculture crop production. All of these crops are widely used in our food systems and for animal feed so the pesticides are an integral part of our human food intake. Another big issue is the lack of scientific research on so called tank mixes. This applies to both agricultural applications where multiple chemicals are mixed together to make it more efficient to apply – for example, a tank mix with a fungicide, insecticide and herbicide all in one application. Chemical mixes are also widely available over the counter in home use products such as many all in one type yard care solutions. Most research is done on single chemicals, not on how these chemicals react when mixed together and create a synergistic result. Our food production systems are dominated by industrial agriculture and the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers and monocultures which many believe we cannot live without. We have also changed our overall ecosystems with various practices so that insect pests and invasive and noxious weeds can get out of control. How do we find balance and pull back from these environmentally destructive practices while also maintaining food production? A GOOD READ... Human Health: Kids and Pesticides DOWNLOAD PDF »

The People and Pollinators Action Network’s staff and leaders have made a lot of progress over the years! Check out all of our recent successes and accomplishments. OUR SUCCESSES People and Pollinators Action Network’s team and community partners have made much progress over the past decade! Check out some of our successes and accomplishments below: JOIN OUR EFFORTS » PRACTICES TO SUPPORT POLLINATORS BILL 2026 PPAN introduced and stewarded this bill through the 2026 legislative session. HB26-1132 promotes native plant use in balance with wildfire mitigation, climate resilience, noxious weed control, agricultural production, and public safety. This flexible approach will ensure that pollinator habitat improvements are site-appropriate and aligned with the state's land-management goals. SECURED WILIDFE STATUS FOR INVERTEBRATES & RARE PLANTS 2024 Championed the policy recommendation to add invertebrates under the authority of the Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) department and supported the passing of HB24-1117 . This bill statutorily recognizes invertebrates as wildlife in Colorado and mandates their inclusion of species to be studied and protected. POLLINATOR RESOLUTIONS & PROCLAMATIONS Ongoing We have helped to pass Pollinator Resolutions in multiple CO counties and municipalities, including the City of Boulder, Boulder County, City of Lafayette, City of Longmont, City of Denver, Town of Berthoud, City of Cherry Hills Village, Larimer County, City of Loveland, Town of Carbondale, Town of Basalt, and more. POLLINATOR & HUMAN HEALTH BILL INTRODUCED 2022 Introduced Colorado’s first omnibus Pollinator & Human Health bill (SB22-131), which sought solutions to protect children’s health, preserve pollinator biodiversity and allow communities to make decisions about pesticide use. TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR IPM Ongoing Create training opportunities for government and commercial pesticide applicators. SAFE PARKS, SAFE PLAY - ORGANIC TURF PILOT PROJECTS 2019 - 2025 Beginning in 2019, PPAN with Beyond Pesticides and other partners, has launched organic turf pilot projects in Boulder, Lakewood, Golden, Longmont, and elsewhere to transition conventionally-managed parks to organic and make them safer for people, pollinators, and pets. Read more and access resources here . ESTABLISHED COLORADO POLLINATOR MONTH 2017-2026 Each year we work with the Governor's Office to designate June as Colorado Pollinator Month, bringing awareness and action to our state's smallest wildlife . BUILDING THE COALITION TO REDUCE NEONIC POISONING IN CO 2025-2026 More than 80 farms, apiaries, restaurants, nonprofits, and medical groups have come together to help reduce unnecessary neonic poisoning in our state, while ensuring farmers' ability to use them when needed. The Seed We Need Coalition is growing; Join today! LOCAL CONTROL OF PESTICIDES BILL INTRODUCED 2024 Championed and supported HB24-1178 , to Restore Local Government Authority to Regulate Pesticides. After passing the House Energy & Environment Committee, the bill stalled in the House (despite having the votes) due to industry influence and countless delays. LAUNCHED STATEWIDE HABITAT FUND 2023 Using donations from the Protect Our Pollinators license plate , PPAN launched a statewide Habitat Fund to provide small grants to community organizations, businesses, governments, schools, farms, Indigenous Nations, public housing projects, and others for the creation or expansion of pesticide-free pollinator demonstration gardens. COLORADO POLLINATOR LICENSE PLATE BILL 2021 Championed and helped to pass the new Colorado Pollinator License Plate bill (2021)—sales of which will support vital pollinator conservation and advocacy programs across the state. Promote pollinators everywhere you go—order plates today ! CO-FOUNDED THE CO NATIVE LANDSCAPING COALITION 2020 Co-founded the Colorado Native Landscaping Coalition , working in collaboration with mission-aligned partners to advance policies that will transform landscaping across Colorado. SPEARHEADED CO's FIRST POLLINATOR POLICY (2018) 2018 Worked with the Department of Natural Resources to spearhead a new, comprehensive pollinator policy for state lands (2018). CO-FOUNDED THE COLORADO POLLINATOR NETWORK + SUMMIT 2015-26 PPAN initiated the creation of the Colorado Pollinator Network and co-hosts the annual Colorado Pollinator Summit each year. LIMITING TURF IN NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT 2025 PPAN supported HB25-113 to Limit Turf in New Residential Development (new apartment and condominium developments). Nonfunctional turf refers to grass that is not actively used for recreation or other purposes. This bill is the latest in a series of legislative efforts to reduce turf that is not suited to Colorado's arid climate and demands excessive resources to maintain. TRACKING CONNECTED CORRIDORS THROUGH THE POLLINATOR-SAFE PROPERTY PLEDGE Ongoing PPAN's Pollinator-Safe Property Pledge puts thousands of pesticide-free pollinator-safe habitats on the map. Add your property to the map today ! CO NATIVE POLLINATING INSECTS HEALTH STUDY BILL 2022 Championed and helped to pass Colorado’s first Native Pollinating Insects Protection Study bill (SB22-199), which led to the Colorado Native Pollinating Insect Health Study , providing critical data and recommendations for conservation decisions about the protection of our state's native pollinators. PESTICIDE PREEMPTION BILL INTRODUCED 2020 Introduced SB20-189 , Colorado’s first bill to repeal state preemption of pesticide use—authorizing local governments to regulate pesticide use and application. CO-FOUNDED THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION 2019 The CEHC is working to build capacity and support for a coordinated toxics reduction strategy to protect people across Colorado from chemical toxics that are ubiquitous in our air, water, communities, and consumer products. HELPED TO CREATE CO'S FIRST POLLINATOR HIGHWAY 2017-2021 Championed a state resolution designating I-76 as Colorado’s first pollinator highway (2017) and launched the pilot planting project in 2018. Our partnership with CDOT continues with new pollinator plantings along Hwy 119 (2021). IMPROVED THE CO PESTICIDE APPLICATOR'S ACT 2015 Successfully advocated for new rules for Colorado’s Pesticide Applicators’ Act, which governs the Pesticide Advisory Committee, to mandate the inclusion of beekeepers and organic farmers and to create requirements informing the public of actions taken against workers who violate pesticide application rules.

Join these Colorado chapters of the People and Pollinators Action Network group and make a difference in your neighborhood. OPEN POSITIONS

The People and Pollinators Action Network’s staff and members work closely to forge strategic wins for people, pollinators, and the state of Colorado. OUR APPROACH HOW WE WORK FOR POLLINATORS Outreach & Education PPAN mobilizes communities in Colorado to take positive action for pollinators. We offer webinars, workshops, events, and presentations that engage with current pollinator issues and the steps we can take to protect both pollinator populations and human health. Our outreach efforts aim to address negative stereotypes and connotations surrounding insects and other pollinator species, to drive home the significance of pollinators to both our ecosystems and daily lives, and to inspire collective action for pollinator conservation. We have recruited over 2,300 individuals and businesses to take our pollinator pledge to use pollinator-safe practices on their properties, and continue to grow our passionate constituent and volunteer base. Public Policy PPAN works with both local and state governmental agencies and elected officials to encourage pollinator friendly policies in land and facility management. We have been instrumental in passing municipal, county, and state resolutions to: (1) encourage the conservation of and transition to healthy pollinator habitat, (2) reduce the use of pesticides, and (3) engage the public to develop a better understanding of the importance of pollinators. Collaboration PPAN works collaboratively with a number of like-minded organizations doing similar work in Colorado to be as effective and efficient as possible. Some of our current partners include the Sierra Club state chapter, Colorado State Beekeepers Association, Audubon Rockies, Denver Audubon, CO Native Plant Society, CO Wildlife Federation, Front Range Wild Ones, and Clean Label Project, to name a few. See our "Coalitions" page for more information about our roles in a number of local and statewide groups promoting pollinator conservation and the safeguarding of public health. In addition, we work with a number of cities to provide volunteer support for organically-managed public parks and the maintenance of native plant beds. Activities Beyond events, partnerships, and educational opportunities, PPAN is also growing a number of exciting projects, ranging from native habitat work to upcoming media campaigns. Stay tuned for more info and ways to get involved! VIEW OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS GET INVOLVED

DPR Volunteer Waiver If you're interested in volunteering with Denver Parks and Rec at Wash Park, please download and complete this waiver form.

COLORADO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION PARTNERS For more information on a partner organization, click the organization's logo. 1/1

Sign the pollinator pledge with People and Pollinators and show up on our Pollinator Map! How to become a Pollinator Safe Property » Scroll to pledge map We also encourage you to download a copy of the pledge above and send copies to your friends and family! Interested in volunteering with us as well? Click here! POLLINATOR SAFE PLEDGE MAP See everyone who has signed the Pollinator Safe Property Pledge: These pins represent properties that are planting pollinator safe plants and will not use pesticides. map