Resident testing finds elevated arsenic, lead in River Park topsoil; trustees forward results to state health agency

Tom Brown, a Buena Vista resident, told trustees on Oct. 28 that recent soil sampling around the River Park and Morley Smelter deposits detected ‘‘arsenic at levels ranging from 21 to 57 times above EPA established health values’’ and elevated lead, chromium and cadmium in some samples.

Brown summarized a set of tests the town and community volunteers coordinated between May and September. He said arsenic concentrations in surface topsoil ranged well above what he described as EPA health‑based values and that certain other heavy metals were ‘‘persistent’’ and unlikely to degrade.

Town staff confirmed they had obtained copies of testing reports and had performed additional sampling. ‘‘We forwarded the samples and reports to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for their review,’’ a staff member said during the meeting. Staff also told trustees that water‑quality testing of actively used play areas — specifically the baseball and softball fields — had not shown contamination of concern for those active playing surfaces.

Town officials said public‑health agencies are the appropriate technical reviewers and that any remediation or public‑safety actions would follow CDPHE guidance. Brown urged trustees to adopt ‘‘a fiscally sound, long‑term scientifically driven River Park heavy metals plan of action’’; he provided a written packet of recommendations to the board.

Trustees did not take immediate regulatory action at the Oct. 28 meeting; instead staff indicated they would await CDPHE review and report back with recommended next steps.