Sections
KEY FACTS
What happened?
The Lake County Commissioners declared an emergency on Feb. 13, 2008. The reason for this declaration was a build-up of underground water on the east side of Leadville. This water build-up has been rising steadily for years. Because of certain conditions, including the heavy snowpack this year, this action was taken to help protect the area, its residents and visitors.
Is Leadville water safe to drink?
Yes. Parkville Water District continues to provide superior quality water and monitors the water quality daily.
Is Leadville a safe place to be?
Yes. There are a lot of great reasons to visit Leadville and Twin Lakes now, including Ski Cooper and the Crystal Carnival and Ski Joring competition on Mar. 1-2.
Is downtown Leadville in danger?
No. The historic downtown districts of Leadville and nearby Twin Lakes are not in the path of the tunnel. The concern of the County is primarily centered on those residents who live at Village at East Fork in close proximity to the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Treatment Plant.
Has a blowout already happened?
No. The Commissioners are working to prevent such an occurrence. There have been no injuries, no evacuations. It is business as usual in Leadville.
What happened?
The Lake County Commissioners declared an emergency on Feb. 13, 2008. The reason for this declaration was a build-up of underground water on the east side of Leadville. This water build-up has been rising steadily for years. Because of certain conditions, including the heavy snowpack this year, this action was taken to help protect the area, its residents and visitors.
Is Leadville water safe to drink?
Yes. Parkville Water District continues to provide superior quality water and monitors the water quality daily.
Is Leadville a safe place to be?
Yes. There are a lot of great reasons to visit Leadville and Twin Lakes now, including Ski Cooper and the Crystal Carnival and Ski Joring competition on Mar. 1-2.
Is downtown Leadville in danger?
No. The historic downtown districts of Leadville and nearby Twin Lakes are not in the path of the tunnel. The concern of the County is primarily centered on those residents who live at Village at East Fork in close proximity to the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Treatment Plant.
Has a blowout already happened?
No. The Commissioners are working to prevent such an occurrence. There have been no injuries, no evacuations. It is business as usual in Leadville.
Gov. Ritter reacts to Commissioners' continuing frustrations
Full text of April 4 letter to Chairman Hickman addressing the Lake County Commissioners' "concern that Colorado is not doing its part."...Point-Counterpoint: CDPHE and BOCC lock horns over funding
The state agency wants to block funding for emergency drilling and the Lake County commissioners examine the reasons one-by-one in this letter dated April 3, 2008....Agencies confused over authority on mine drain solutions
Lake County commissioners are still looking for a long-term fix to what they deemed an emergency three weeks ago, while pumped water now shows high levels of heavy metals....Report confirms need for multi-pronged, multi-site fix
The BOCC has just released an independent consultant's ground water elevation update that indicates a need for a more comprehensive solution than what has been promised.Ski Cooper: Winter Recreation for the Whole Family
Feds offered $30 million for Leadville's $50 million problem
Denver Post -- Gov. Ritter requests long-term funding, but a long-term deal involving a handover of the treatment plant to the state fell through in 2005.Federal and State Agencies Answer to Senator Tom Wiens
Three Federal agencies and a Colorado state agency called before a panel of elected officials led by Senator Tom Wiens offered solutions to the problems plaguing the blocked Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel in Lake County.Lead Poisoning in Children
Senator Tom Wiens draws national attention to the threat of a toxic mine blowout in Leadville, Colorado. Click above for video.
Lake County Board of Commissioners declares a state of emergency.
Log in
Featured author