The Rocky Mountain Regional Hazardous Substance Research Center (HSRC) for remediation of mine waste sites was formed on November 1, 2001, through funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC consists of a consortium of participants from Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, Montana Tech from the University of Montana, and several academic and non-academic participants from other regions of the U.S. and Canada.

The Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC consists of two primary components: research and outreach. The research goal of the Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC is to develop new and to improve existing methods or technologies for remediation of mine waste sites that are cost effective and lead to clean ups that are protective of human health and the environment. The outreach activities of the Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC include technology transfer, technical outreach and service to communities (TOSC), and technical assistance for brownfields (TAB). Technology transfer includes such activities as conferences, short courses, workshops, and field demonstrations, with a specific emphasis on the development of new technologies. The TOSC and TAB programs provide educational information to allow communities to make informed decisions concerning environmental contamination, and will provide technical assistance to communities and other stakeholders including the redeveloping of brownfields sites. Unlike the research component of the Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC, outreach activities are not necessarily restricted to mine waste sites.

The Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC officially represents EPA Region 8 states (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming). However, the activities of the Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC also pertain to any location within the U. S., particularly where remediation of mine waste is required and/or where there is metals contamination.