Hickenlooper, Bennet, Curtis, Hurd Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Preserve Grand Junction Uranium Disposal Site, Avoid Spending Millions to Ship Waste

Without federal action, Colorado's only long-term storage facility for uranium waste will begin to close this year, would cost millions to ship to next nearest site

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, and John Curtis and Representative Jeff Hurd introduced the bipartisan Responsible Containment Reauthorization Act to keep Colorado's only long-term uranium disposal site open, avoid spending millions of taxpayer funds in additional costs, and keep the community safe. The Grand Junction disposal site would have to begin the process of closing their operations this year unless Congress acts.

"Closing the Grand Junction disposal site before it even reaches capacity would risk the health and safety of the surrounding area and waste millions of dollars in the process," said Hickenlooper. "It's common sense to make sure the disposal site continues to safely manage the uranium waste and protect the community."

"The Responsible Containment Reauthorization Act will support Western Colorado as the region continues to clean up low-level radioactive materials," said Bennet. "Currently, the Grand Junction Disposal cell is the only facility of its kind in Colorado, and this bill will allow this critical site to continue operating until it reaches capacity, protecting public health, lowering disposal costs, and limiting environmental risk."

"Uranium has helped power Colorado's economy and strengthen our national security, and we have a responsibility to manage legacy cleanup waste the right way," said Hurd. "The Grand Junction disposal site is Colorado's only long-term uranium disposal facility, and it's a proven, safe place to store this material while keeping costs down for taxpayers. Reauthorizing the site allows Colorado to continue disposing of cleaned-up tailings here at home until the disposal cell reaches capacity. This bipartisan bill provides certainty for local governments and ensures this important work can continue without interruption."

Beginning in the 1940s, sand-like uranium mill tailings were given away for free and used in construction across Western Colorado before it was understood that these tailings emit hazardous radon gas and gamma radiation. As properties in western Colorado continue to be cleaned up, a proper disposal site is needed for the radioactive waste.

Without the Grand Junction site, 6,000 cubic yards of waste would have to be shipped to a private site in Utah every 2-3 years, costing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment more than $16 million.

The bipartisan bill would reauthorize the disposal site until the cell reaches full capacity. The site was most recently reauthorized with broad support in 2019 through legislation led by former Rep. Tipton.

The legislation is supported by Mesa County, La Plata County, the City of Grand Junction, the City of Durango, and the Town of Fruita, along with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Full text of the bill available HERE.

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