Source: July 22, 2016
By: Chris Loveless
A beloved farm south of Colorado Springs is suspending sales over ongoing concerns about contaminated water in the area.
Venetucci Farm is located in the 5200 block of Highway 85 in the Security-Widefield area.
The farm gets its water from the Widefield Aquifer, which the EPA says is contaminated with perfluorinated chemicals, or PFCs.
The Pikes Peak Community Foundation operates the farm and says it is temporarily suspending all sales and distribution of products from the farm until water, soil and produce test results become available.
“While we do not believe there are any health risks associated with the consumption of Venetucci Farm products, it is with the best interest of the community in mind that we have decided to temporarily suspend sales and distribution of our products while we gather additional information and data,” said Gary Butterworth, CEO of the PPCF.
The Foundation says it will continue to work with officials in Widefield, Security, Fountain, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the El Paso County Public Health Department as these agencies and municipalities gather additional data.
Venetucci Farm is best known for its pumpkins, which are distributed to school children in the Pikes Peak Region each year and are used to brew Bristol Brewing Company’s Venetucci Pumpkin Ale in the fall.