New Mexico AG Protected State Rivers through Gold King Mine Toxic Spill Settlement

FEBRUARY 16, 2022

On February 16, 2022, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that his office, along with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Environment Department Secretary James Kenney, and Natural Resources Trustee Maggie Hart Stebbins, is working to finalize a settlement with the federal government resolving a 2016 lawsuit over a toxic mine spill that took place at Gold King Mine. In 2015, contractors hired by EPA for cleanup work accidentally released millions of gallons of acid mine drainage and toxic metals from the Gold King Mine in Colorado into two rivers. This adversely affected drinking water, irrigation, and recreation. While the water is now safe for many uses, there has been a lasting stigma from the spill that has harmed the region’s economy.

On June 16, 2022, AG Balderas and Governor Grisham announced that the settlement had been finalized.

On October 26, 2022, AG Balderas announced a $4.3 million grant program resulting from the settlement. The program will address harms caused by the spill, as well as fund projects that will benefit farming, outdoor recreation, natural resources, drinking water, conservation, among other areas.

On December 20, 2022, AG Balderas announced that the $4.3 million in grants had been awarded to 6 applicants: San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District, City of Aztec, San Juan County, City of Farmington, NMSU Extension Office, and NM Tourism Department.