On September 11, 1957, a plutonium fire at Rocky Flats spread into the building's filtration system, allowing radioactive material to escape into the atmosphere. Decades later, Colorado researchers reconstructed the accident and mapped how airborne plutonium may have traveled across surrounding communities.

In The Grieving Landscape, author Heidi Hutner explores the history of Rocky Flats through personal experiences, community health concerns, and conversations with residents—including Rocky Flats Downwinders founder Tiffany Hansen. This 2020 essay documents the families and community advocates working to keep the history of Rocky Flats visible.