Too many doses of medications are being dumped into Colorado's water supply when they could be used to help needy patients in this state and beyond, two lawmakers and a nursing home administrator said Sunday morning on the west steps of the state Capitol.

Regulators are concerned about an array of chemicals and pharmaceuticals—synthetic estrogen used in birth control pills, anti-bacterial agents in hand sanitizers and a flame retardant used on computers, furniture and cars—that can accumulate in the tissue of animals and people.

Over the next few weeks, local residents and visitors will have the chance to help Summit County take the lead in protecting local streams and reservoirs from especially pesky pollutants that aren't easily cleaned by existing water treatment plants.