Colorado town ready to discuss Superfund after mine spill

Southwestern Colorado officials say they’re ready to talk to the Environmental Protection Agency about a Superfund cleanup of inactive mines, including one that spewed millions of gallons of wastewater into rivers in August.

Silverton Town Administrator Bill Gardner said Friday the town trustees and the San Juan County commissioners will consider resolutions Monday to open discussions.

It would be an important step toward cleaning up hundreds of mines leaking wastewater into the Animas River north of Silverton. The August spill from the Gold King Mine polluted rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah and forced towns and farmers to temporarily stop using the rivers.

Some residents have been reluctant to pursue a Superfund cleanup, fearing it would discourage tourism and investment. The Gold King spill increased pressure on the community to act.