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 transport of the last two Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) units to other U.S. Army organizations, finishing the task in three months compared to a projected nine months.
- Mandatory masking zone requirements were eliminated at the plant based on safety data and risk assessment conclusions. The plant will not be officially ”mask-free” until the final round of specific monitoring is completed for all main plant Agent Filtration Area (AFA) units.
- A large contingent of Bechtel Corporation representatives visited the site in July for a functional review to assess the project’s readiness to transition to demolition.
- Entry Support Area Tender Daniel Sturges completed 1,000 back-up entries into toxic areas of the plant wearing specialized protective gear June 7, when he changed filters in the AFA.
Safety
- As of July 31, the Bechtel Pueblo Team completed 1,116,551 hours without a lost-time accident.
Main Plant
- The last major fieldwork projects are coming to a close with the removal of the scrubber tower, bulk oxidizer and other equipment in the off-gas treatment system and carbon tray removal and unventilated monitoring testing in the AFA. Extensive cleanup is underway in both areas to prepare for demolition readiness sampling.
- Concrete core drilling is underway in the Toxic Area to sample native soil as part of demolition readiness requirements.
- All carbon filters in the AFA have been removed from their banks and the majority shipped to permitted waste facilities. Decontamination and unventilated monitoring testing continues.
- Work has begun on the removal of the Munitions Treatment Unit 2 bin enclosure.
Permitting
- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recently approved permits for updates to drawings (June 25) and groundwater monitoring wells (July 11). Three other permits are in the works, including the addition of waste codes, changes to monitoring locations and removal of the Miniature Continuous Air Monitoring System and Depot Area Air Monitoring System.
SDCs
- Workers began to drill monitoring wells for groundwater sampling to detect potential agent byproducts and meet closure sampling and analysis plan requirements.
Workforce Transition
- 795 workers are employed on the project as of July 31, 2025; a total of 872 have been released. The projected reductions in force are 97 in August and 181 in September.
- The final two job fairs offered to the PCAPP workforce were held July 16 and 17 online and July 23 and 24 on site. Nearly 250 employees took advantage of the opportunity to explore options for their next professional chapters.
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#
