Contributing Factors
Mining activities in areas such as Colorado Springs and Steamboat Springs have been
significant contributors to asbestos exposure. Workers in industries including oil
refining, manufacturing, the military, railroads, and power plants have also faced
elevated risks.
Additionally, six naturally occurring asbestos deposits in the Rocky Mountains—such as
the Gem Park Complex, Camp Albion, Salt Creek Vermiculite, Pinon Peak, Sloan Pipe,
and the Sedalia Mine—have contributed to higher mesothelioma rates across the state.
Lung cancer has also been observed among workers in these industries, particularly
among smokers. Many workers were exposed to asbestos without adequate protective
equipment, increasing their vulnerability to both mesothelioma and lung cancer.
High-Risk Occupations for Asbestos Exposure in Colorado
Beyond natural asbestos deposits and historical mining, many Colorado residents were
exposed through both primary and secondary sources. Occupations such as shipbuilding,
manufacturing, and construction frequently involved contact with asbestos-containing
materials.
Power Plant Workers
The Estes Power Plant, established in Larimer County in 1950, relied heavily on asbestos
insulation during construction. Workers experienced prolonged exposure due to the
mineral's heat-resistant properties.
In 2011, an asbestos abatement project removed contaminated HVAC duct wrap and plaster.
This cleanup effort may have resulted in additional exposure for abatement crews.
Other facilities with potential exposure risks include the Ray D. Nixon Power Plant
and the Pawnee Power Plant.
Industrial Workers
Industrial workers throughout Colorado were also exposed to asbestos. At the Western
Minerals Company's Denver plant, more than 80,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated
vermiculite ore from Libby mines were processed between 1967 and 1990.
Although the Environmental Protection Agency later declared the site generally free
of contamination, asbestos traces remain in surrounding soil, continuing to raise
health concerns.
Oil Refinery Workers
At facilities such as the Conoco Oil Refinery, asbestos was commonly used in insulation
for furnaces, boilers, distillation towers, pipelines, and storage tanks. Workers also
encountered asbestos in gaskets, valves, sealants, and protective clothing.
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Cities in Colorado with Asbestos
There are 186 cities in Colorado that are covered by Asbestos Trust Funds
Landmark Colorado Asbestos Verdicts
Mr. Lance Slayton vs. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
In 2022, a Denver property owner hired contractor Lance Slayton to conduct demolition
work on a fire-damaged four-plex apartment building. Slayton was informed of a major
asbestos spill and agreed to follow safety protocols.
Instead, asbestos warning signs were removed, and an unlicensed laborer was hired
without disclosure of the hazard or protective equipment. After violations were
reported, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment halted the project.
Slayton was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to a 10-year prison term with additional
concurrent sentences. He was also ordered to pay restitution to affected victims.
Violation of the Clean Air Act by Two Colorado Businessmen
In a separate case, Joseph J. Cannella and Steven Douglas Herron were indicted for their
involvement in a 1999 asbestos abatement project at Fort Morgan High School.
The men were charged with improperly removing asbestos, failing to seal materials in
leak-proof containers, and submitting fraudulent certifications. These actions
significantly increased the risk of airborne asbestos exposure and violated the
Clean Air Act.
