The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) is safely destroying the chemical munitions stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD) in accordance with applicable federal, state and local environmental requirements. The following is a summary of key program partners and their roles in reaching this shared goal.
Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)
PEO ACWA was established to demonstrate alternatives to the baseline incineration technology for the destruction of assembled chemical weapons. PEO ACWA is responsible for completing stockpile destruction operations at PCD and the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) near Richmond, Kentucky, by the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty commitment of Sept. 30, 2023. U.S. Public Law mandates stockpile destruction by Dec. 31, 2023.
- Contact: Katherine DeWeese, Chief of Public Affairs, (410) 306-4024, katherine.b.deweese.civ@army.mil
Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP)
PCAPP is a state-of-the-art, full-scale pilot facility that is safely destroying the Pueblo chemical weapons stockpile.
- Contact: Ron Eccher, Outreach Communications Manager, (719) 549-4959, or (719) 546-0400, eccher@iem.com
Bechtel Pueblo Team (BPT)
BPT is the systems contractor selected by PEO ACWA to design, build, test, operate and close PCAPP.
- Contact: Sandy Romero, Communications Manager, (719) 549-5280, or (719) 296-5904, svromero@bechtel.com
Pueblo Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office (ORO)
The ORO, operated under contract by IEM Inc., informs stakeholders about the chemical weapons destruction project. The office works closely with elected officials, community groups, individual citizens, PEO ACWA, PCD, emergency preparedness agencies and others to ensure a comprehensive public outreach and involvement program.
- Contact: Ron Eccher, Outreach Communications Manager, (719) 296-5905, or (719) 546-0400 eccher@iem.com
U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD)
The depot is located east of Pueblo, Colorado. It is a 23,000-acre U.S. Army installation that is responsible for the safe and secure storage of the chemical weapons stockpile of mustard agent in Colorado. PCD has been in operation since 1942 and has stored chemical agents since the early 1950s.
- Contact: Mike Brock, Public Affairs Officer, (719) 549-4335, michael.j.brock.civ@army.mil
U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity (CMA)
The CMA manages the U.S. stockpile of chemical weapons, enabling the Army to focus solely on the national security mission. Headquartered at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, CMA assesses and destroys recovered chemical warfare materiel. The activity also continues to maintain safe and secure storage of the Army’s two remaining chemical stockpile sites, at PCD and via the Blue Grass Chemical Activity at BGAD, Kentucky, until those stockpiles are destroyed by PEO ACWA.
- Contact: Karen Nikol, Chief of Public Affairs, (410) 436-4292, karen.j.nikol.civ@army.mil
Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP)
CSEPP enhances the emergency preparedness of Pueblo County, PCD and the state of Colorado through equipment, personnel, training and public awareness. This program involves PCD, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Bureau, the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Contact: Gayle Perez, CSEPP Public Information Officer, (719) 583-6222, perezg@pueblocounty.us
- Contact: Micki Trost, DHSEM Strategic Communications Director, (303) 472-4087, micki.trost@state.co.us
- Contact: David Gilder, FEMA Region VIII CSEPP Program Specialist, (202) 657-2309, david.gilder@fema.dhs.gov
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
The mission of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is to protect public health and the environment. The department is responsible for enforcing the Hazardous Waste Regulations in the state of Colorado and will consider the U.S. Army’s permit applications for PCAPP. Representatives of the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division actively participate in meetings regarding chemical weapons destruction in Colorado.
- Contact: Juli Mahr, Hazardous Waste Permitting Unit, (888) 569-1831, ext. 3426, julianna.mahr@state.co.us
- Contact: Jeannine Natterman, Public Involvement Coordinator, (888) 569-1831, ext. 3303, jeannine.natterman@state.co.us
Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission (CAC)
In accordance with Public Law 102-484, the CAC serves as a bridge between the community and the government by providing a forum for exchanging information about chemical weapons destruction. The governor of Colorado appoints members of the CAC, including private citizens, who represent the local community. The CAC conducts public meetings to facilitate consistent public participation in the chemical weapons destruction program.
- Contact: Irene Kornelly, Chair, (719) 591-5157, ikornelly@pcisys.net
- Contact: Jeannine Natterman, Administrator, (888) 569-1831, ext. 3303, jeannine.natterman@state.co.us