The majority of our wildlife that thrive in our protected open spaces are affected by rat poison from bait traps that surround many of our neighbors houses, restaurants, schools, and businesses. When a rodent is attracted to and eats the bait, it takes up to two weeks for it to slowly die, making it the easiest prey to catch for hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and other local predators. These animals suffer from secondary poisoning, and the anticoagulant poison will cause them to bleed out internally and die. It is also a concern for dogs and cats who might consume a dying animal. 

The majority of our predatory wildlife have at least one type of rat poison in their system, weakening their immune system, making them susceptible to mange and other diseases. Those of us who live in Boulder County appreciate the vast diversity of our surroundings, and strive to protect the environment these animals rely on. 

There are more sources of rat poison now than ever, and Boulder County should take action to ban these poisons, so that we stop filtering them into our local environment and up the food chain, and so we no longer have to be concerned about our own pets falling victim to poisoning.