EPA Superfund Site

BONITA PEAK MINING DISTRICT

CO | EPA ID CON000802497

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of September 2025, the Bonita Peak Superfund Site is considered "Current Human Exposure Not Under Control" (HENC). In June 2019, EPA completed a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) for the Site with extensive review by a multi-party human health advisory group. As discussed in the risk assessment, campers may be exposed to contaminants above EPA cleanup levels at multiple campsites within Operable Unit 01 (OU1). This exposure pathway is considered unacceptable based on EPA risk-based criteria. Campground 7 and trespass campground 4 have been remediated under the 2019 Interim Record of Decision (IROD). Two additional trespass campgrounds with unacceptable lead exposure risks were identified in a 2022 ATSDR report. These campgrounds, called 2 and 3, were remediated under an Emergency Removal Action in 2023. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is currently evaluating recreational areas on BLM managed land to assess if there are unacceptable human health exposures. The EPA expects human exposure to be under control in September 2030, when the OU1 remedial action is complete.
If you are potentially impacted by risks inherent at this site, EPA recommends you camp in designated camping areas, and take steps to limit ingestion of contaminated soil, such as proper hand washing. EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by December 2035 because EPA will have completed activities pursuant to its May 2019 IROD, as well as completed sitewide remedial investigation activities and implemented any remaining priority response actions necessary to address human health exposure. An addendum to the HHRA is being prepared to address potential exposures resulting from traditional Native American use of the mining district. And additional health education information will be developed to manage any identified exposure risks. EPA has an extensive community outreach program which includes providing residents and recreationalists with information on how to reduce exposures to potentially contaminated sources.