The Back from the Brink Hub in Colorado, named Nuclear Free Colorado, originated as a group of 14 organizations that were opposing nuclear power located in several different communities throughout the state.
Leading the Hub is Dr. Ken Lichtenstein, who sits on the board of directors for Physicians for Social Responsibility – Colorado (PSR Colorado) — one of these organizations.
Dr. Lichtenstein is a retired Infectious Diseases specialist who focused on the care of HIV-infected individuals and performed HIV research in association with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the last 40 years. In the 1980s, he served as president of an earlier PSR Colorado chapter and as President of PSR National. In that capacity, he had the opportunity to testify before the House Armed Services Committee concerning the health impact of nuclear weapons production.
He was also appointed to serve on the Nuclear Complex Cleanup Committee and was a member of the Rocky Flats Health Advisory Panel. Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant produced plutonium triggers for nuclear weapons during the Cold War from 1952 to 1989, and production issues such as fires contaminated the area with plutonium, as well as other carcinogens and toxins. Learn more about Rocky Flats here >
He shared: “As PSR Colorado became aware of the Back from the Brink campaign, they educated the other groups about the role of the nuclear power industry in the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons. When these groups were subsequently introduced to the resolutions promoted by Back from the Brink, they strongly supported their participation in Back from the Brink as a Hub.”
Nuclear Free Colorado meets weekly virtually, where organizations have been working together to have their members send emails, make phone calls, or meet directly with municipal, state, and national officials concerning cosponsorship of the Back from the Brink resolutions, H. Res. 317 and S. Res. 323. Although Colorado has no cosponsors in the House of Representatives or Senate yet, they’re hoping that their efforts will be successful as they grow their support base.
For folks who live in Colorado and want to get involved with the Back from the Brink Hub, please reach out to Ken Lichenstein at didc.kal.8621@juno.com.
