Curtis B. — Work, Family and Questions That Remain

Curtis B. grew up in Arvada near 80th and Simms. His father, Gary, operated a trucking business, and both father and son worked on subcontract jobs connected with Rocky Flats. Curtis says the family business hauled sand and gravel onto the site and beryllium out. Beginning when he was young, around 1983 and continuing into the early 1990s, Curtis remembers shoveling, cleaning trailers and making deliveries. He says he was not provided protective gear, meaningful radiation or hazardous-material training, or other safety equipment he now believes would have been appropriate. His father later died from cancer. Curtis was diagnosed with Stage 4 thyroid cancer in 2009 and says he has lived with its consequences for years. His mother experienced thyroid and uterine cancer, and his sister has had an enlarged thyroid, PCOS and an immune disorder. Curtis has also described serious health experiences affecting his children. He wonders about possible intergenerational effects but does not claim Rocky Flats caused those conditions. His story is about work, family, illness and his belief that people with histories connected to Rocky Flats deserve recognition, medical support and answers.