Colorado AG Announced Settlement with Federal Government over Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site Natural Resource Damages

MAY 11, 2023

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced a $5 million settlement with the federal government over natural resource damages at Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, an area that contains several dozen abandoned mines, including the Gold King Mine. According to the AG’s allegations, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Environmental Protection Agency were all liable for managing and overseeing the federal response at the site, and failed to properly carry out their duties, leading to releases of hazardous substances on the site, including the 2015 Gold King Mine spill. Under the settlement, the Colorado Natural Resources Trustees (of which AG Weiser is chair) will manage and distribute the funds after consulting with local governments, organizations, and community members.