Save Our Saint Vrain Valley, Inc.

Save Our St. Vrain Valley: Protecting Over 5,700 Acres from Industrial Exploitation About SOSVV Save Our St. Vrain Valley (SOSVV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and 100% volunteer-led grassroots  dedicated to protecting, conserving and restoring the ecologically and culturally unique St. Vrain Valley in Boulder County and the surrounding Front Range. Since 2017, SOSVV has been a powerful voice defending acres of irreplaceable open space, sensitive wildlife habitat, Indigenous cultural sites and family farms from destructive industrial development, mining and unregulated chemical pesticide use. Our Impact: SOSVV has successfully defeated multiple industrial mining and extraction projects proposed by major corporations, including Martin Marietta, Aggregate Industries and CEMEX. These victories have prevented devastating damage to thousands of acres of open space, protecting wildlife corridors, critical riparian habitats and areas rich in archaeological and Indigenous cultural heritage. Notable achievements include: Blocking Martin Marietta’s Special Use Permit SU 96-18 and Aggregate Industries’ Fredstrom mine permits (SU-94-0022, SU-94-0023, SU-94-0024).
 Defeating CEMEX’s expansion bids on the Lyons cement plant and Dowe Flats mine (SU-93-14 and SU-22-0003), that would have extended mining for decades.
 Protection of B1 conservation areas and culturally critical lands on Rabbit Mountain, including South Down Indian Mountain, Ron Stewart Preserve, Heil Ranch and Hall Ranch.
 Serving as a watchdog over Boulder County Land Use and Parks & Open Space Departments to enforce Special Use permit compliance and prevent de facto rezoning and spot zoning converting it to deep pit gravel mining industrial zones.
 

Critical Issues: The Indaziflam Testing SOSVV uncovered that Boulder County Parks and Open Space publicly admitted to conducting unauthorized operational testing of Bayer’s herbicide indaziflam (Esplanade), labeled by the EPA strictly for industrial use, on protected and Indigenous cultural areas without: Environmental Impact Statements or federally required Environmental Assessments (NEPA).
 Experimental Use Permits for testing new herbicide applications.
 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) or public approval for helicopter boom aerial spraying.
 Tribal consultations, violating federal laws protecting Indigenous cultural resources (NHPA, NAGPRA).
 Compliance with Boulder County’s own Integrated Weed Management Plan (IWMP).
 This illegal aerial spraying harmed endangered species and active Indigenous cultural sites, including those associated with Marty Chase Alone’s South Down Indian Mountain group, violating the 1997 Cemex deed stipulating cultural preservation. An CDA investigation began in September 2025 and continues to develop. SOSVV is demanding full transparency, a thorough investigation into staff and contractors’ actions and robust independent environmental testing and remediation—yet such complex legal and scientific work requires funding. How Your Support Makes a Difference SOSVV is staffed entirely by volunteers dedicated to community organizing, expert legal advocacy, researchand public education. But these efforts require crucial financial resources to sustain: Legal consultation and representation to enforce environmental and cultural protections.
 Securing scientific experts and environmental testing to document pesticide impacts.
 Filing and tracking CORA requests and public records to hold decision-makers accountable.
 Developing powerful media campaigns, community outreach and coalition building to raise awareness and pressure the county for compliance.
 Supporting Indigenous partners and ensuring respectful tribal consultation on conservation initiatives.
 Our successes demonstrate that local action can prevail against national corporate interests threatening our environment and cultural heritage. Still, the battle to safeguard the St. Vrain Valley against industrial encroachment, toxic chemicalsand regulatory rollbacks continues. SOSVV Collaborates with Indigenous groups, local farmers, scientists and community organizations like Good Neighbors of Lyons to strengthen regional environmental health.
 Instrumental in supporting Boulder County’s termination of CEMEX operations, aligning with climate goals and public health priorities.
 Your generous donation powers the critical legal, scientific and organizing capacity that makes all this work possible. Every dollar helps protect water quality, wildlife habitat, Indigenous cultural sites and public lands for present and future generations. Your support ensures we continue to: Hold polluters and regulators accountable.
 Fight industrial projects threatening our lands and communities.
 Assert Indigenous rights and cultural preservation.
 Lead environmental stewardship and science-based advocacy.
 Your financial support is a pledge to justice, environmental integrityand cultural respect. Thank you for standing with SOSVV in this critical fight.