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
- On Aug. 26, Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission (CAC) members and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) representatives toured the PCAPP site, including the control room, Biotreatment Area, and the former Static Detonation Chamber complex site.
- As the local reuse authority for closure of the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, now known as the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity-West (CMA-West), PuebloPlex conducted public meetings and a focus group of area experts in August to capture community feedback on the redevelopment and reuse of the land that includes the PCAPP parcel. An updated redevelopment plan is expected by the end of the year.
- PCAPP employees from the Jetway 1 warehouse at the Pueblo Municipal Airport Industrial Park moved back to the PCAPP site in August, while property and warehouse stock will be relocated on-site or dispositioned by the end of September. The building will be returned to the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation by the end of the year.
- Workers shipped the last contaminated carbon filter waste to a permitted hazardous waste disposal facility Aug. 13.
Safety
- As of Aug. 31, the Bechtel Pueblo Team completed 1,238,754 hours without a lost-time accident.
Main Plant
- Workers completed the removal of the scrubber tower, bulk oxidizer and other equipment in the off-gas treatment system.
- Carbon tray removal and all unventilated monitoring testing across the plant has been completed. Extensive cleanup continues in all areas to prepare for demolition readiness sampling.
- The Munitions Treatment Unit 2 bin enclosure has been removed.
- Concrete core drilling for native soil sampling under the foundation of the Agent Processing Building continues.
Permitting
- CDPHE approved requests for updates to the Static Detonation Chamber closure plan and stormwater management procedures, and an update to monitoring locations in the main plant.
SDC
- Workers completed the drilling of monitoring wells for groundwater sampling to detect potential agent byproducts and meet closure sampling and analysis plan requirements.
Workforce Transition
- 683 workers are employed on the project as of Aug. 31, 2025; a total of 97 were released in August for a total of 892 who have left the project thus far.
Upcoming Meetings
- The next Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission meeting will be held online Oct. 29 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#
