Public-health advocate asks Arapahoe County to request health assessment of proposed Costco fuel center

At the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 10, 2025, Dr. Gregory Sullivan, PhD, of Environmental Management Assistance urged the board to seek a health impact assessment from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for a proposed Costco fuel center he said would include 32 gasoline pumps near two schools in Littleton.

Sullivan summarized published links between traffic‑related air pollution (PM2.5 and NO2) and adverse child health outcomes, saying early exposure can reduce IQ and increase rates of asthma and attention deficits. He told commissioners he had already asked CDPHE to review the site and asked the board to formally request a health‑impact assessment and to work with the City of Littleton and Costco to pause or revise the project to protect children and other vulnerable populations.

Sullivan also supplied materials he said estimate emissions from roughly 5,000 daily car visits to the fuel center and asked the board to use its authority to protect public health. He cited Colorado Revised Statutes while urging the county to act on behalf of residents.

Board response and outcome: Commissioners thanked Sullivan and said staff would follow up; the board did not take formal action at the meeting.

Clarifying details: Sullivan said the proposed fuel center would have 32 pumps and that two schools lie within 500 meters of the site; he said his materials estimate 2–3% reductions in children’s IQ from early PM2.5 and NO2 exposure (as presented in his remarks) and referenced approximately 5,000 daily car visits in his flyer. Sullivan asked the board to contact CDPHE to request a formal health‑impact assessment; he also referenced Colorado Revised Statutes when discussing the county’s authority to protect public health.

Next steps: County staff said they would follow up with Sullivan and the presenters; no formal board directive was recorded at the meeting.