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Otero County Chemicals

Notices

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Site Overview 8/20/2025 Background Information
The Otero County Public Health Department contacted 17 school in Southeast Colorado about a consolidation of school chemistry chemicals event.  16 of the 17 schools responded and brought their unused chemistry class chemicals to a staging area in La Junta, Colorado.  The county and state requested EPA assistance for disposal of the collected chemicals.

Initial Response 8/20/2025 Background Information
Beginning August 19, EPA and its contractors began performing an inventory of the chemicals dropped off at the staging area.  The inventory process includes identification, size and volume estimates, and hazard classification.  The chemicals are then separated into their hazard classes and are placed in designated containment areas. 

Finalized Inventory and Separated Chemicals 8/21/2025 Site Update
8/19/25-8/22/25: EPA and its contractors completed the inventory and segregation of the chemicals at the staging area.  2,732 bottles were categorized and EPA is currently looking at disposal options.  The chemicals are separated by hazard class and are in containment structures awaiting disposal options.

Planned Actions 8/25/2025 Site Update
Disposal will occur once bids are received and evaluated for cost and timeliness.  The projected schedule is the week of 9/8, but that is subject to change.