The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or PCAPP, is in the closure phase. From 2015 to 2023, the PCAPP team destroyed 780,078 projectiles and mortar rounds containing 2,613 tons of the blister agent mustard. The last chemical weapon in the stockpile in Colorado was destroyed June 22, 2023. The Pueblo plant will be in the closure phase for approximately two more years.
The last chemical munition in the declared U.S. stockpile was destroyed July 7, 2023, in Richmond, Kentucky.
Highlights
- Workers completed disassembly of all three Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) units. Transport of SDC Units 2 and 3 to other U.S. Army organizations will occur in July.
- Workers conducted a successful Unventilated Monitoring Test (UMT) in the Agent Processing Building (APB), which resulted in the downgrading of the masking zone to the Agent Filtration Area (AFA) only.
- PuebloPlex, the local redevelopment authority, held public meetings and focus groups in June to collect input on how the former U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot and the PCAPP parcel can be reused to support regional economic growth.
Safety
- As of June 30, 2025, the Bechtel Pueblo Team completed 956,740 hours without a lost-time accident.
Main Plant
- In the APB, workers completed removal of Toxic Area, Munitions Washout System, and Toxic Maintenance Area sump liners and trenches.
- APB and Enhanced Reconfiguration Building ventilation ducts were sampled during the APB UMT for data on contamination levels.
- The removal of equipment and piping in the off-gas treatment system continued. Concrete curb removal was completed with robotic destruction equipment.
- Carbon filter removal was completed in AFA 12 and 13 followed by shipping to a permitted hazardous waste facility in Texas.
SDCs
- Disassembly of SDC Unit 2 was completed and components were packaged and staged for shipment to Alabama in July.
- Disassembly of Unit 3 was made possible by state approval of the last Reuse Readiness Report June 13 and is complete. Transport of Unit 3 to Maryland is planned to occur in July.
Workforce Transition
- 797 workers are employed on the project as of June 30, 2025; a total of 860 have been released.
- A virtual job fair has been scheduled for July 16 and 17 with an in-person job fair to follow July 23 and 24. PCAPP workers also have been invited to a Peterson Space Force Base job fair July 16.
Upcoming Meetings
- The next Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission meeting will be held online Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. MT. Join online by using the link and information below.
Online platform: Zoom
Phone: 1 (719) 359-4580
Meeting ID: 84351934182#
