Carbon monoxide leak forces temporary closure of Colorado Springs Walmart

Paramedics evaluated several people for exposure to carbon monoxide Friday after high levels were detected at a Walmart in Colorado Springs.

The store in the 8200 block of Razorback Road, near the Chapel Hills Mall, was evacuated about 8:30 a.m., a Walmart spokesman said.

The fire department said no one was hurt or needed to be checked out at a hospital.

“We detected levels at 80 parts per million,” Capt. Steven Oswald said. “We consider an acceptable level to be under 30 parts per million.”

Walmart said a malfunctioning rooftop exhaust unit sent carbon monoxide — an odorless, colorless gas — into the store.

Employees gathered in the parking lot while store management kept them informed of the situation. Several employees stood at the main entrance and told arriving customers that the store was temporarily closed.

Authorities declared the store safe to reopen at 12:30 p.m.