Huerfano County pursues EPA brownfields cleanup for 135 W. 7th Street after asbestos, dry‑cleaner solvents found

County staff and consultants told the Huerfano County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 30 that they will apply for an EPA brownfields cleanup grant to address contamination at two downtown Walsenburg properties, including the old hospital at 135 West 7th Street and an adjacent former dry‑cleaner.

Nick Tawaco of Geosyntech Consultants summarized work done under a prior $500,000 EPA assessment grant and described subsequent Phase II testing. He said the old hospital and an associated residence contain asbestos‑containing building materials and that groundwater beneath the former dry‑cleaner has historically shown chlorinated solvents at levels that in some samples exceeded Colorado groundwater standards. "The historical solvent is typically defined… trichloroethylene or PCE," Tawaco said, explaining the planned remediation technique.

Tawaco said asbestos abatement will likely coincide with demolition because the main hospital building is structurally unsafe, with asbestos‑containing materials packaged and removed and perimeter air monitoring during work. For groundwater, the team is proposing in‑situ enhanced bioremediation — injecting microorganisms and amendments to accelerate natural breakdown of chlorinated solvents — and noted the presence of a commingled plume that may come from upgradient industrial activity.

County staff and the consultant said they completed nine Phase I assessments countywide and Phase II testing at three sites; the cleanup portion of the proposed EPA application was described as being "just under $1,000,000" in rough order of magnitude. Staff emphasized the application timeline: a public‑notice period is open and the EPA notice of funding opportunity deadline is Jan. 28.

Resident Ryan Geese, who identified himself as a county resident, asked that the small residence behind the dry‑cleaner be included; he told the board he had been inside the back building and supported its inclusion to avoid leaving an eyesore. "I'm happy to hear that that's being included," Geese said. He also asked whether there was room for new parking or multistory live/work development; staff responded that reuse planning (for parking or retail) would be separate from cleanup planning and that the cleanup grant covers remediation only.

The board voted to accept the corrected resolution related to the property donation (see separate vote item) and staff said they will complete and file the EPA application with supporting cleanup analyses. The draft cleanup alternatives analysis and application packet were made available for public review during the public‑notice period.

What happens next: staff will finalize the grant application and submit it by the Jan. 28 deadline; cleanup will depend on award of funds and subsequent contractor selection and regulatory clearances.