I urge you to temporarily suspend of all demolition and construction activities on the I-70 Central Project between I-25 and Colorado Blvd. until the statewide shelter-in-place order is lifted. The I-70 Central Project has increased air pollution in surrounding communities, which compromises the health of residents and makes them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. In fact, one recently published study by Harvard University found that even a slight increase in exposure to air pollution “leads to a large increase in COVID-19 death rate.”

Northeast Denver neighborhoods, which are primarily communities of color, have borne the brunt of Denver’s pollution for decades and are among the most polluted residential zip codes in the country. Now, as residents living near the I-70 Central Project shelter in place to protect public health, they are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from COVID-19 due to disproportionate air pollution exposure that heightens their risk.

We are as vulnerable as the least protected in our community. More critical cases of COVID-19 only add to the strain on our healthcare system that is working so hard to save us all.

It is imperative that we act now to protect the health of those sheltering in place near the I-70 Central Project until the threat of COVID-19 is behind us.