Miners pulling ore carts on electric railroad cars in 1915

Idaho Springs, Colorado as well as Clear Creek, Colorado was a major site of Colorado’s gold rush in the nineteenth century. As a result, many gold-seekers moved out West in hopes of becoming rich. This sudden increase in population combined with the growing mines led to hazardous environmental impacts, ultimately impacting the surrounding water source and health of individuals in the community (Western Mining History 2020). Shortly after the sites closing in the 1950’s, the Argo Mine and surrounding areas were added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) superfund site list in the 1980’s (Environmental Protection Agency 2021)

Map of superfund sites near Clear Creek, CO

Furthermore, in the site’s mining history, minerals and elements such as arsenic, zinc, and lead had been leaked into Clear Creek. Each of these minerals and elements have been proven to be carcinogenic, or cause cancer among other adverse effects (Environmental Protection Agency 2007). In addition, after being added to the superfund site list, cleanup began on the 400 square-mile site, including the Argo mine. Today, the mine acts as a tourist site, but the 400 square-mile site remains on the superfund site list, therefore implying there are still some harmful chemicals present on the site (Environmental Protection Agency 2021).

Finally, this situation is not an isolated event. There are thousands of superfund sites throughout the United States, yet they are little discussed or talked about. As a result, this website serves to educate not only tourists and community members on the Clear Creek superfund site, but also to educate members of other communities to learn about superfund sites near them, as well as potentially dangerous chemicals they may be exposed to.