The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is currently working with the Colorado Army National Guard (CONG) to determine what, if any, risks might be posed to the public from past military activities at Camp George West and nearby Green Mountain west of Denver, Colorado. 

In early 2010, CDPHE was notified that a nearby resident found military munitions debris in a public recreational area on the north slopes of Green Mountain.  Although the munitions debris itself does not pose a threat, it can indicate the potential for other, more dangerous military munitions-related items to be in the area. Some of these items have the potential for exploding if not handled properly.

The area is heavily used by nearby residents and the public year-round for walking pets, running, hiking, biking, and numerous other outdoor activities.  CDPHE is working with CONG to develop a plan for further investigating the area, and providing public education to protect users of this highly-populated, high-use area.

INVESTIGATING THE AREA

Camp George West and the open space on Green Mountain will be further investigated by CONG under the Army National Guard’s Non-Department of Defense Owned Non-Operational Defense Site (NDNODS) program, a nationwide program designed to identify former training areas where the Guard used munitions in training exercises. The program focuses on those areas used in training that were never owned by the Department of Defense. NDNODS is a relatively new program, and the Camp George West/Green Mountain site may be the first in the country evaluated under this program.  CDPHE and CONG are working closely with the City of Lakewood and other authorities to ensure close coordination in the evaluation and educational effort. CDPHE is requesting CONG to obtain funding as soon as possible to begin a preliminary investigation of the area to determine what, if any, further actions are required to ensure public safety over the long-term.  Educational efforts will continue to provide the public with information about munitions safety issues and actions individuals can take to protect themselves in the short term.

THE 3 “Rs” OF EXPLOSIVES SAFETY 

Anyone finding an item they suspect could be munitions-related should consider the item to be extremely dangerous. Never touch, move, or disturb these items.  Remember the three “Rs” of explosives safety:

1.  RECOGNIZE:  Recognizing when you may have encountered a munition is key to reducing the risk of injury or death.  If you encounter or suspect you have encountered a munition, consider it extremely dangerous.  Remember, munitions are sometimes hard to see and identify.  They may resemble a pointed pipe, a soda can, a baseball, a muffler or other metal objects.  They may be visible on the surface, buried, or exposed by erosion or fires; they may look new or old, be complete or in parts, be found alone or in groups.  Any suspect items should be considered dangerous regardless of size or apparent age.

2.  RETREAT:  If you encounter or suspect you have encountered a munition, do not touch, move, or disturb it.  Immediately and carefully leave the area following the same path on which you entered the area.  If you can, mark the general area – not the munition – in some manner (e.g. with a hat, piece of cloth, or tying a piece of plastic to a bush or tree branch).

3.  REPORT:  Call 911 immediately!!  Notify local law enforcement of what you saw and where you saw it.

NOTE:  If you or someone you know may have collected munitions-related items as souvenirs, please notify law enforcement immediately so trained professionals can remove the items safely.

For more information visit http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/campgeorge.htm.