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Old Hospital Asbestos

 
Site Contact:
Kyle Corcoran
On-scene Coordinator

(corcoran.kyle@epa.gov)

Site Location:
135 W 7th Street
Walsenburg, CO 81089
 response.epa.gov/OldHospitalAsbestos

The Site includes the remains of a former hospital/antique mall and an abandoned residence. Both buildings were damaged by multiple fires and now contain burned debris and asbestos-containing material (ACM). 

A major fire damaged the former hospital in October 2023. After that Huerfano County Economic Development Inc (HCED) used an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Assessment Grant to begin the clean up process of the Site. Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments completed in 2025 found ACM on the property.

The property was donated by the private landowner to Huerfano County on January 22, 2026. Since then, the residence behind the old hospital has caught fire twice, on May 6, 2026, and May 22, 2026. 

In July 2026, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requested that EPA Region 8 consider a removal action to address the ACM and debris.


Southeast facing overview of the Site showing the heavily burned eastern portion of the Old Hospital building. Front facing view of the Old Hospital building onsite, showing the heavily burned eastern portion. Rear facing overiew of the Old Hospital building onsite, showing the heavily burned eastern portion of the building. West facing view of the Old Hospital building and private residence, showing the strucural and interior damage sustained from past fires. Interior view of the Old Hospital building, showing extensive damage sustained from the 2023 fire. Air sampling location 4 established at southwest corner of Albert St and Seventh St. Air sampling location 3 established on east side of Albert St, on south side of alley. ERRS progressing on demolition. ERRS staging debris for removal. ERRS moving concrete blocks. Bottom pane of glass on excavator broken. ERRS lining, filling with debris, and wrapping hauling trucks for disposal at designated landfill. ERRS spreading backfill.
For additional information, visit the Notices section.