Ms. Irene Kornelly (R), Chairperson of the Colorado Citizen’s Advisory Commission , is briefed on the storage of mustard-filled 105 mm projectiles inside a chemical storage igloo, along with staff of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Download High-Res Image

The U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD) located near Pueblo, Colo., is one of nine Army installations in the United States and currently store chemical weapons. PCD stores a stockpile of chemical weapons comprising seven percent of the nation's original chemical materiel stockpile.

Since 1942, the depot’s missions have shifted and expanded, and today the depot’s mission is to ensure the safe, secure storage of the chemical weapons stockpile. Encompassing approximately 23,000 acres, PCD reports to the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity (CMA).

The U.S. Army Element, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, known as ACWA is the Department of Defense program responsible for the destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile in storage at PCD. Working in partnership with the community, the technology known as neutralization followed by biotreatment was selected in 2002 to destroy the Pueblo chemical weapons stockpile. The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP), is currently under construction near the storage site.

Bechtel Pueblo is the systems contractor that will design, construct, systemize, pilot test, operate and close the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

Safety and Security

The safety of workers, the public and the environment are paramount to the success of the chemical weapons disposal mission. The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity (CMA) oversees the secure storage of chemical munitions to ensure that they are safe.

CMA and PCD are committed to the safe and secure storage of the chemical weapons until the stockpile can be eliminated.

Public Participation and Community Relations

PCD and PCAPP work closely with the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission, which serves as a forum for exchanging information about the project, offers opportunities for the public to get involved and represents community and state interests to the Army and Department of Defense.

The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program works closely with your community and state emergency professionals to develop emergency plans and provide chemical accident response equipment and warning systems.

To learn more about the Army’s chemical weapons disposal mission visit the Pueblo Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office.