Chemical weapons stockpile destruction complete after 18 years

It gives us immense pleasure to write this editorial, as it relays great news for the Pueblo community: the stockpile of chemical weapons that have been stored at the U.S. Army PCD since the 1940s has now been safely — and completely — eradicated.

Since 2005, we have been working to build a facility, complete with road access near the Pueblo Memorial Industrial Park, for the destruction of 2,611 tons of mustard agent stored in three types of projectiles and mortar shells. A daunting, but achievable task made possible by a partnership with the Department of Defense, Bechtel Pueblo Team (systems contractor), multiple local, state, and federal environmental agencies, the Pueblo community, and a governor-appointed Citizens’ Advisory Commission.

When operations completed on June 22, a collective sigh of relief could be felt within the local community as well as across the entire state. Years of ingenuity, innovation, creativity, workforce dedication, and project commitment to safety is what drove us to the successful culmination of seeing that last munition destroyed. Pride and dedication to the mission from the workforce, half of whom are from Pueblo County, is what got us here. Not once did the workforce think it impossible — indeed, they are the reason we can celebrate this accomplishment. Not enough credit can be given to the people who performed the hard work of chemical weapons destruction.

Even though destruction has completed, the Bechtel Pueblo Team will be here for a few more years. According to Environmental Closure Plans, we must decontaminate, dismantle, and dispose of the plant. We will leave the area in just as good, if not better, shape than when we first arrived and started building PCAPP from the ground up. We are working with Pueblo, federal and state leaders on this process. It is possible for some of the infrastructure to stay if that is what is desired.

Having been a part of this community for 20 years has been an honor and a privilege. Many of our employees have immersed themselves in this community by purchasing property, engaging in local events through volunteerism or participation, and contributing expertise to civic boards. For many years, we have served on the United Way of Pueblo County Board of Trustees that helps so many non-profit organizations make a difference where possible.

Our engineers have worked with middle and high school students to instill a mindset that STEM careers are fun and we are proud to say that some of these students are now scientists and engineers themselves — this is a big part of the legacy we leave and one that we are most proud.

So, we’d like to thank you — Pueblo citizens — for allowing us to be a part of your community. Some of our more than 1,500-strong workforce will opt to stay here, as we have all come to love the area. We will gradually begin to destaff in the coming months and years. So, it is with gratitude that we will now move into the Closure phase of the PCAPP project.

On Aug. 30, a community celebration will take place at the Pueblo Convention Center at 2 p.m. We invite you to attend, as this celebration is more than acknowledging the end of chemical munitions in Colorado, it is a celebration of the partnership with local agencies and stakeholders and the entire Pueblo community who helped make this achievement possible.

We hope to see you there.

By Pueblo Chemical Depot Commander, Col. Rodney McCutcheon, Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) Site Project Manager Walton Levi, Bechtel Pueblo Team Project Manager Todd Ailes and Plant Manager Kim Jackson