US resumes destroying chemical weapons at Colorado site

The Army has resumed the destruction of chemical weapons at a Colorado facility after crews repaired a small dent in the door of a chamber used to blow up the munitions.

Pueblo Chemical Depot says operations resumed Monday. They were suspended Aug. 7 when the dent was discovered.

Officials say no chemicals escaped and no one was hurt.

The Army uses the chamber to explode and neutralize shells containing mustard agent. It’s one of two methods the military will employ at Pueblo to destroy about 780,000 shells containing 2,600 tons of mustard agent.

The shells are being destroyed under a treaty banning chemical weapons.

Crews will dismantle and neutralize most of the shells in an automated plant nearby starting next year. The chamber detonates shells unsuitable for the automated plant.