History of Asbestos in Colorado
Asbestos's history in Colorado is ancient. The state has numerous naturally occurring deposits of asbestos, especially along the Rocky Mountains, San Juan Mountains, and near the town of Cortez.
The mineral was mined in the state, and it also contaminated other mining operations. Today, the mines that have been contaminated are no longer active, but that doesn't mean that they aren't still a hazard to communities nearby and to the environment.
Asbestos tailings, or asbestos contaminated waste left over from mining, still are present in many mines across the state; as well as poisoning land outside and around the mine. In areas where rainfall or flooding has reached the tailings, they've been washed downstream.
In many cases, the communities most at risk are rural and without the funds to pay for abatement (asbestos clean up that follows the law's requirements).
The state is also home to numerous other industries that widely used asbestos in the late 1800's and throughout most of the 1900's. Among them are oil, construction, railroad and power plants. These industries used asbestos for its properties: durable; resistant to fire, heat and electricity; a good insulator; and inexpensive.
Companies with Possible Asbestos Exposure
These workplaces and organizations are some of many in Colorado that were likely contaminated with asbestos. Workers or people that frequented these premises should discuss their possible asbestos exposure with their physician and see if regular mesothelioma screenings are recommended.
- ADOLPH COORS CO.
- AIR FORCE ACADEMY
- ALAMOSA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
- AMERICAN GILSONITE CO.
- ANTLERS PLAZA HOTEL
- APEX INSULATION
- ARAPAHOE GENERATING STATION
- ASAMERE REFINERY
- ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL
- AT&T
- ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH CENTER
- ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
- BAY PETROLEUM CORP.
- BLACK CLOUD MINE, LEADVILLE
- BROOKS TOWERS
- BROWN PALACE HOTEL
- CAMEO POWER PLANT
- CENTEL CORPORATION
- CHEROKEE POWER STATION
- CITY LIGHT PLANT
- CLIMAX MOLYBDENUM COMPANY
- COLORADO COLLEGE
- COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES POWER PLANT
- COLORADO STATE HOSPITAL
- COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
- COLORADO-UTE ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION
- COMMANCHE POWER STATION
- CONOCO OIL
- CONSTRUCTION SPECIALTIES CO.
- CONTINENTAL OIL CO.
- COORS PORCELAIN CO.
- COPPERS CO.
- CRAIG POWER STATION
- DENVER MISSILE SITES
- DOW CHEMICAL CO.
- DRAKE POWER PLANT
- EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
- FEENEY SUPPLY CO.
- FITZSIMMONS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- FORT CARSON
- FORT ST. VRAIN GENERATING STATION
- FOUR CORNERS POWER PLANT
- FRONTIER AIRLINES
- FRUITA REFINERY
- GATES RUBBER COMPANY
- GREAT WESTERN SUGAR CO
- HAYDEN POWER STATION
- HOLLY SUGAR CORP.
- IBM
- J. D. INSULATION
- JOHNS MANVILLE CORPORATION
- JOHNSON DAVIS POWER PLANT
- LA COMBE PLANT
- LEYDEN GAS PLANT
- MACARTHUR COMPANY
- MARRIOT MOTEL
- MARTIN DRAKE POWER PLANT
- MARTIN MARIETTA
- MOUNTAIN STATES ENGINEERING
- MOUNTAIN STATES TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH
- NATKIN & COMPANY
- NIXON POWER PLANT
- OIL SHALE PLANT
- OLSEN PLUMBING & HEATING
- PENROSE LIBRARY
- PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO
- PUEBLO ORDANANCE DEPOT
- ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL
- SOUTHERN COLORADO POWER PLANT
- SWIFT & CO.
- TOWN OF DEER TRAIL (RESULTING FROM SCHINDLER BUILDING)
- TREND CONSTRUCTION CORP.
- TRINIDAD POWER PLANT
- U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
- ULTRAMAR DIAMOND
- UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO
- VALMONT STATION
- WALSENBURG POWER PLANT
- WESTERN MINERALS CO.
- WILSON CREEK FIELD
- ZONOLITE
- ZUNI POWER STATION
Asbestos-related Deaths in Colorado
Mesothelioma death rates in Colorado were estimated to be between 267 and 456 from 1979 to 2001. These numbers are estimated because mesothelioma was often more generally called "lung cancer" on death certificates.
In 1999, the Centers for Disease Control began requiring states to accurately report mesothelioma deaths and at that time, the numbers of victims of the disease nearly doubled.
Because mesothelioma has such a long latency period (20 to 50 years), people that were exposed to asbestos in the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s, when asbestos use was extremely high, could still develop mesothelioma over the next 10 or 15 years.
Where to Find Help
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers
University of Colorado at Denver
Health Sciences Center
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, Colorado 80045
720-848-0300
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
7951 E. Maplewood Avenue, Suite 300
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
888-259-7622
Shaw Regional Cancer Center
322 Beard Creek Road
Edwards, Colorado 81632
970-569-7429
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
1400 Jackson Street
Denver, Colorado 80206
Request an appointment: 1-800-222-5864
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important that you speak with a Colorado mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to learn your legal options.
A Colorado mesothelioma attorney can help you learn where you were exposed, who is responsible for your asbestos exposure, if there is enough evidence to support your case in court, and how much financial compensation you could seek.
Simon, Eddins & Greenstone, LLP, is an experienced firm of mesothelioma attorneys with a history of helping Colorado asbestos victims. One Colorado mesothelioma victim we represented was a gentleman who was exposed to asbestos products through his work in the M & J Enterprises auto repair shop in Denver, in construction, and in a Littleton foundry. He received $2,205,051.62 after attorney's fees and expenses.
In addition to legal representation, we can also provide you with resources for family help, seeking treatment, organizing travel and accommodations during treatment, paying your medical bills and much more.
Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation with one of our mesothelioma trial attorneys. We look forward to speaking with you. 866-632-7574.