The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant team destroyed the chemical weapons stockpile formerly stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, now known as the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity-West, and is managing the closure phase while protecting the workforce, public and environment.
The PCAPP team fulfills this commitment by adhering to numerous local, state and federal laws and regulations. This includes the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authority to control hazardous waste, including generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal, to protect human health and the environment.
In addition, PCAPP operated under a hazardous waste permit from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This permit was granted after numerous Army studies determined the destruction of the stockpile would have no significant impacts to human health or the environment. Throughout the lifecycle of the plant, any major permit modifications required a public comment period and approval by the state.
Learn more about our permits and environmental activities by accessing the links and information on this page, or by contacting the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant outreach staff at pueblooutreach@iem.com.
Recent Permitting Activity
On Nov. 18, 2025, the Army and Bechtel submitted a Class 2 Permit Modification Request (PMR) S037, Updates to Closure Plan and Consolidated Sampling and Analysis Plan for Unrestricted Reuse.
Documents:
On Dec. 4, 2025, the Army and Bechtel submitted Class 2 Permit Modification Request (PMR) B086, Update to Demolition Readiness Standards for Concrete Chips.
This permit modification request proposes updates to Attachment I, Closure Plan and Attachment I, Appendix I-3, PCAPP Demolition Readiness Sampling and Analysis Plan / Quality Assurance Program Plan to correct the Demolition Readiness Standards for concrete chip samples to the Environmental Protection Agency Residential Soil Regional Screening Levels.
On Dec. 10, the state approved a Temporary Authorization to allow implementation of the proposed revisions. This Temporary Authorization is necessary to facilitate timely implementation of closure activities, in accordance with 6 CCR 1007-3 §100.63(e)(3)(ii)(A).
Documents:
On Dec. 8, 2025, the Army and Bechtel submitted Class 2 Permit Modification Request (PMR) B080, Waste Storage Updates for Demolition.
This PMR proposes to add waste code K903 to the approved waste codes for the Dunnage Storage Area and D-codes D022, D028, D029, D034, D039, D040, and D043 to the approved waste codes for the Munitions Bodies Storage Area (MBSA). The Dunnage Storage Area, MBSA, and the Waste Laydown Yard will be reutilized to store characterized waste during the demolition phase of facility closure.
This PMR proposes to expand the MBSA from approximately 45 feet wide x 270 feet long to approximately 61 feet wide x 270 feet long and increase the maximum storage inventory from 840 cubic yards to 2160 cubic yards. This is necessary to store more and larger roll-offs for large waste generated during demolition.
This PMR proposes to remove pre-demolition and demolition readiness characterization requirements for the Dunnage Storage Area, MBSA, and the Waste Laydown Yard as these areas will be utilized during demolition. Instead, the PMR proposes post-demolition samples to be taken to align with the designated end state of Unrestricted Reuse.
Documents:
The B086 and B080 public comment periods run from Dec. 11, 2025, through Feb. 9, 2026.
Written comments regarding both permit modification requests must be submitted to:
Juli Mahr, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division HMWMD-B2, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530
Email: Julianna.Mahr@state.co.us
On Dec. 22, 2025, the Army and Bechtel submitted a Class 2 Permit Modification Request (PMR) B084, Fixative Application to Duct Work.
This PMR proposes amendments to apply a polymer-based fixative to the interior of the Agent Processing Building exhaust ductwork and to the interior surfaces of Air Filtration Units (AFUs) 13 through 16. Based on the sampling results, these surfaces have levels of Constituents of Potential Concern including dioxins and furans (D/F) above the demolition readiness (DR) standards. Prior experience with D/Fs has shown instances where the DR requirements were not met after repeated decontamination efforts. The Permittees are proposing to collect wipe samples at eight biased “worst case” ductwork locations in order to complete waste characterization prior to applying the fixative. Following waste characterization in accordance with permit and regulatory requirements, the Permittees will apply the fixative to the ductwork and AFUs which will facilitate safe removal and transportation for land disposal while being protective of human health and the environment.
Permittees are seeking a Temporary Authorization pursuant to 6 Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) 1007-3 § 100.63(e), to allow implementation of the proposed revisions. This Temporary Authorization is necessary to facilitate timely implementation of closure activities per 6 CCR 1007-3, Section 100.63(e)(3)(ii).
Documents:
• PCAPP Permit Modification B084
• Final PMR B084 Public Mailer
• Final PMR B084 Newspaper
The B084 public comment period is from Dec. 28, 2025, through Feb. 26, 2026.
Written comments regarding the permit modification request must be submitted to:
Juli Mahr, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division HMWMD-B2, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530
Email: Julianna.Mahr@state.co.us
Key Permit Documents
Modification Request B071 (Main Plant Closure)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Permit
Environmental Impact Statement
Explore PCAPP Permitting History:
Colorado Environmental Oversight Links:
Get involved.
Public Meetings:
Plant and permitting updates are provided during public meetings known as the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission (CAC). Please see below for future meeting dates and forums.
View meeting summaries from meetings held from 2008-20.
Information Repositories:
Information regarding the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant project is available at various community locations. Inquiries should be directed to PCAPP outreach staff at pueblooutreach@iem.com.
- The official and primary information repository for the PCAPP project can be found at Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library located at 100 E. Abriendo Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004. This repository has every current document associated with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act process as it pertains to the PCAPP project.
- Additional repositories are located in the following locations:
- McHarg Park Community Center
405 2nd Lane
Avondale, CO 81022 - Boone Community Center
421 E. First St.
Boone, CO 81025
- McHarg Park Community Center
For a complete list of documents available at the Information Repositories, please see the Index.