Colorado AG Reached Settlement with Vail Corporation over Release of Hazardous Substances into Waterways

AUGUST 15, 2023

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that the Colorado Natural Resources Trustees, of which AG Weiser is chair, approved a $275,000 settlement resolving claims that Vail Corporation released around 2 million gallons of water that contained hazardous substances into two nearby creaks when valves on its snowmaking system were left open, resulting in damages to aquatic life in the river. Most of the funds from the settlement will be used for a restoration project in one of the creeks, and the remainder of the funds will be deposited in the state’s Water Quality Improvement Fund. “While an unfortunate accident, this incident harmed aquatic resources in Gore Creek—one of Colorado’s prized trout fisheries in Eagle County. This settlement compensates the community for those injuries, providing funds that will go directly back to restoring natural resources on portions of Gore Creek downstream of the release,” said AG Weiser.