The City of La Junta and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requested the EPA’s assistance to address several abandoned asbestos properties in La Junta, Colorado. The structures are either partly destroyed or are in imminent danger of collapsing. Six properties were residential houses that have been recently condemned by the City.

This time-critical removal action involves the cleanup and proper disposal of asbestos containing material (ACM) contaminated debris from the structurally compromised properties. Certified asbestos consultants determined the asbestos in the buildings was friable asbestos and the reports can be found in the Administrative Record for this Site.

Mobilize personnel and equipment to Site

Demolish Buildings

Ensure harmful levels of particulates and/or suspect ACM do not migrate offsite

Transport building debris as ACM to landfill

EPA and EPA's hazmat contractor (ERRS) will mobilize to Site and coordinate traffic control for individual properties in coordination with representatives from the City of La Junta.

Demolition operations will begin, and EPA will maintain wetting operations throughout to prevent any potential asbestos fibers from migrating.  

Demolition of the buildings began on November 7, 2023 and as of November 12, 2023 a total of 620 cubic yards of ACM has been moved off site.

Continue coordination with representatives from the City of La Junta.

Continue demolition of structures.

Continue T&D of demolition debris.

Demobilize from site.

EPA will use best practices and engineering techniques for asbestos removal activities. ACM debris will be kept wet to prevent the migration of asbestos fibers. Trucks utilized for T&D will be double-lined with 6-mil plastic. ACM debris will be loaded, "burrito" wrapped, and delivered to the proper landfill for disposal.

Safety measures to be implemented at each property include:

• Wetting of structures prior to and during removal operations to provide control of the migration of fibers and dust.
• Traffic control at each property to include the use of traffic barriers (e.g. cones, barricades, and vehicle emergency lights).
• Routine assessment of potential hazards at each property including overhead utility lines, slips/trips/falls, heavy equipment, pedestrians near site activities, and traffic control.

Demolition of the buildings began on November 7, 2023 and as of November 17, 2023 a total of 1,320 cubic yards of ACM has been moved off site.

Asbestos removal activities for the six properties were completed on November 17, 2023.

EPA and ERRS demobilized from the site on November 18, 2023.

EPA and ERRS personnel demobilized from the site on November 18, 2023.

No further activities are planned.