Following the deactivation of the former U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot on Sept. 12, the newly named U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity-West has traded its primary mission of munitions storage and transport for one of logistics and infrastructure support for the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, as it executes facility closure and demolition over the next three years.
“PCAPP and the former PCD enjoyed a very productive relationship concerning the safe destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile,” said Walton Levi, site project manager, PCAPP. “Now that the stockpile is gone, this relationship will easily transition into the closure and demolition phases at PCAPP and be equally as successful.”
Led by Sheila Johnson, director, CMA-West will provide base operations, utilities, property management, information technology and fire rescue support to ongoing PCAPP operations until all conditions have been met for turnover to Base Realignment and Closure and, eventually, to the local redevelopment authority, PuebloPlex.
Johnson said the safety of workers, the public and the environment was paramount to the success of the chemical weapons destruction mission and will continue to be a primary focus of the 100+ CMA-West workforce during closure activities, which include decontaminating and decommissioning buildings and equipment prior to demolition or reuse. At the height of its storage mission, the former depot employed more than 8,000 workers.
“We’re excited to assist in writing the epilogue to the remarkable achievements of this installation and support PCAPP in their efforts,” Johnson said.
Last year the depot successfully completed its mission to safely secure and store the munitions containing 2,613 tons of mustard agent. From 2015 to 2023, PCAPP destroyed more than 780,000 projectiles and mortar rounds containing the blister agent mustard. The last chemical weapon in the stockpile in Colorado was destroyed June 22, 2023. The final chemical weapon in the U.S. stockpile was destroyed the following month at Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky.
