The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or PCAPP, is in the closure phase, with on-site closure work expected to be complete in 2027. 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 last chemical munition in the declared U.S. stockpile was destroyed July 7, 2023, in Richmond, Kentucky.
Highlights
- Significant staff drawdowns occurred during October as the plant moved into the demolition phase, with 127 more employees ending their employment with the project.
- The two contractors vying for the demolition contract toured the site to provide additional bids on optional demolition work for potential risk mitigation. The demolition contractor is expected to be announced prior to the Dec. 10 CAC meeting.
- A vendor support contractor recently completed installation or repair of 10 of 13 groundwater monitoring wells that will be used to characterize the site after demolition. The groundwater sampling will support closure of the site per state permit requirements.
- Near the North gate entrance, workers placed concrete barricades to block access to the closed Identification and Registration building parking lot and excess vehicle inspection facilities.
Safety
- As of Oct. 31, the Bechtel Pueblo Team completed 1,451,346 hours without a lost-time accident, year to date.
Main Plant
- Scabbling was completed on oil-stained concrete in the Munitions Treatment Unit room followed by clean-up activities.
- Scaffolding was erected in the Agent Processing Building to assist in the final agent monitoring of the HVAC duct system to support the determination that the ducting is free of residual agent contamination.
- Continued decommissioning and rinsate sampling on several laboratory hoods.
- Workers installed a new weather cover on Modules 3 and 4 of the Biotreatment Area.
- Sampling continued in the Agent Filtration Area.
Permitting
- State regulators approved the first Demolition Readiness Report (DRR) Oct. 2, for the 30-day hydrolysate tanks in the Biotreatment Area. This DRR is being used as the test template for subsequent DRRs.
- State regulators also approved Permit Modification request B081 – Cessation of Monitoring in the Agent Processing Building and Medical Facility.
Static Detonation Chamber (SDC)
- Workers completed electrical isolations in the pumphouse and draining of the firewater pump.
- State regulators approved the alternate stormwater management requirements for SDC 1 pad, eliminating the need to manage stormwater as a hazardous waste.
- Chip sampling completed on pads 1 and 2, continuing on pad 3.
Workforce Transition
- As of Oct. 31, 2025, 377 workers are employed on the project; a total of 127 were released in October for a total of 1,198 who have left the project thus far.
Upcoming Meetings
- A Colorado public meeting to discuss Permit Modification Request (PMR) B082, Concrete Decontamination and Resample Changes will be held on Nov. 19, 2025, at 2 p.m. MT.
Online platform: Zoom
Phone: 1 (719) 359-4580 Meeting ID: 85793550081#
The public comment period for PMR B082 runs from Oct. 22 through Dec. 21, 2025.
- The next Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission meeting will be held online Dec. 10 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#
