HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo -- Only "essential" personnel are working at the Denver EPA offices during the partial government shutdown.
Denver7 talked with physical scientist Sherrie Kinard, a Highlands Ranch mother who says not only is she struggling personally, but that her not working is hurting the public as well.
"We protect human health and environment," she explained. "We're not protecting human health and environment right now because we can't go to work."
Beyond the broad impacts Sherrie has some real concerns at home.
"i am the bread winner in my family," she said. "I have two special needs kids, both have Autism Spectrum Disorder."
A lot of the therapy sessions for Sherrie's kids aren't covered by insurance. Sherrie says she's grateful the financial institutions she deals with are being forgiving. She is afraid it won't last much longer.
"If it's the short-term that's fine, but if this drags on for too long I can't imagine them being helpful for months, regardless the situation," she said.
As for a partial functioning EPA, Sherrie says that's what the public should be most concerned about.
"We're not protecting our water. We're not protecting our air. We're not protecting people... period."
