The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) has completed destruction of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD) in Colorado, which consisted of 780,089 chemical weapons containing mustard agent. The Colorado stockpile included three chemical munition types: 155mm and 105mm projectiles and 4.2-inch mortar rounds.

Project Update:

• PCAPP employees were congratulated by Department of Defense officials, corporate executives and project leaders for exemplary work and dedication to the mission of safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile during a visit July 12. Michael Abaie, Program Executive Officer and Dr. James Watson, Deputy Program Executive Officer, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives; Michael Costas, Bechtel business development lead; and Mark Evans, Amentum senior vice president, toured the site, meeting with and thanking the workforce for their efforts and commitment. Joining them were Walton Levi, site project manager; Todd Ailes, project manager, Bechtel Pueblo Team; and Kim Jackson, plant manager, Amentum.
• From July 25-27, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) auditors assessed PCAPP’s STAR Status, the highest level of safety achievement in OSHA’s VPP program, for recertification. An OSHA-led team observed work activities and conducted employee and management interviews.
• On July 28, Levi and Laura Stalford, program manager, PuebloPlex, participated in a roundtable discussion informing Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce members about PCAPP’s recent destruction milestone and plans for the reuse of the facilities and infrastructure for future economic development activities. 

Closure-related Activities:

• A total of 18 managers and recruiting personnel from Los Alamos National Laboratories visited PCAPP July 12-13 to meet with employees interested in exploring future job opportunities.
• The Pueblo Workforce Center continues to host Transition Help Tuesdays at PCAPP. One-on-one sessions are offered to employees, providing guidance and information for employment transition, including resume review, workshops, access to LinkedIn Learning and career coaching programming. The Workforce Transition Center hosted a workshop at the Pueblo Chemical Depot July 18-20 for resume writing and interview skill development.

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant will commemorate the completion of the destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile in Colorado on Aug. 30 with a public event, “Honoring Our Commitment: Chemical Weapons Stockpile Destruction Complete in Colorado.” The event will take place at the Pueblo Convention Center beginning at 2 p.m. MT. Department of Defense and U.S. Army representatives as well as federal, state and local government representatives are expected to attend. While the event is open to the public, an RSVP is appreciated. Send an email to PuebloOutreach@iem.com to receive an electronic invitation or to RSVP.

The next Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission meeting will be held online at 3 p.m. MT on Sept. 27.

Individuals interested in joining online may participate using the link and information below.

To join by computer:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84432791550
To join by phone, call: 1 (719) 359-4580

Meeting ID:  844 3279 1550#

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant is a facility built to destroy the chemical weapons stockpile formerly stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot. (This video portrays PCAPP operations prior to the June 22, 2023, completion of destruction of the stockpile in Colorado.) The main plant used neutralization followed by biotreatment and was supplemented by Static Detonation Chamber units to destroy the mustard agent munitions. With destruction operations complete, the safety of the workforce, neighboring communities and the environment during the closure phase is the project’s priority.