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Ongoing asbestos investigation in Colorado Springs

 

The Colorado Air Pollution Control Division is investigating asbestos issues at several apartment complexes in the Colorado Springs area. Please see below for more information including links to information / records for specific facilities and background information regarding asbestos. 

Records information

Some permits have already been digitized and are available via WebDrawer. Click on the permit number to view the documents. The Division is researching to determine the availability of the permits which have not been digitized.

 

Thrive at Incline, 260 N Murray: 02EP2633A. Records are no longer available in accordance with the retention schedule.

Thrive at Slopeside, 2818 Airport: 90EP187A (Records are no longer available in accordance with the retention schedule.), 12EP2055A12EP2055A MOD19EP0336A and phases19EP0336A-03 MOD

Garden at Hidden Creek, 117 Verde: no permits

Thrive at Park’s Edge, 720 Chapman: 19EP0076A and phases19EP0076-0119EP0076-0219EP0076-0319EP0076-0419EP0076-0519EP0076-0619EP0076-0719EP0076-0819EP0076-0919EP0076-1019EP0076-1119EP0076-1219EP0076-1319EP1276D, and 19EP0076-14

Thrive at Rockledge, 1030 Chelton: 19EP0077A and phases19EP0077A-0119EP0077A-0219EP0077A-0319EP0077A-0419EP0077A-05 and 19EP0077A-06 

Thrive at Elevation, 2713 Arlington: 15EP6041A

Thrive at the Pointe, 3815 Lakehurst: 19DE4742A cancelled

North 49, 4975 El Camino: 18EP4517A18EP5174-0218EP5174-0318EP5174-0418EP4517A-0518EP4517A MOD and another 18EP4517A MOD   and 18EP8259D

 

Because the department is conducting an investigation into these sites, we are in the process of reviewing the other records and information you have requested to determine what public records can be released and what is vital to the ongoing investigation and should be withheld in the interests of the public welfare, health and safety, as detailed in the Colorado Open Records Act. The department is committed to transparency and the public interest and we will move as quickly as possible to make these determinations while respecting the importance of the active investigation. 

 

Throughout this situation, personnel from the Air Pollution Control Division have provided vigorous and pro-active oversight of the affected residences to protect the health and safety of those living in the area. The department investigated allegations of improper renovation work at the complexes the same week it received a complaint, which resulted in the department immediatley ordering work to stop at all relevant facilities.

 

You can find asbestos records which have been digitized via WebDrawer.

Here are instructions and tips for searching and locating records on WebDrawer.

 

Additional Information

If you have information that you think would be helpful to the investigation:

Please call 303-692-3100

 

If you have questions or concerns about potential medical effects of asbestos exposure:

Please speak with your medical provider and follow their recommendations. 

 

If you’re a news organization and want more information:

Due to the ongoing investigation, the Division can only provide certain documents. Those will be made available on this web page.

 

What is asbestos and why should I be concerned about it? 

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Asbestos fibers are very stable, and are resistant to both heat and chemicals. The addition of asbestos fibers adds strength and durability to many products. To date, more than 3,000 different products have been manufactured with asbestos fibers. Asbestos has never been banned totally from being added to building products and may be found in buildings/homes of any age, including new construction.

Asbestos in building materials is not a risk to human health unless it is disturbed. Inhalation of asbestos fibers may lead to increased risk for one or more diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Although scientists have not been able to determine the amount of asbestos exposure needed to cause disease, it is known that the exposure is dose-responsive.  In other words, the greater the exposure and the longer it lasts, the greater the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. The goal, therefore, is to minimize one’s exposure to asbestos over a lifetime. Typically, asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period.  The latency period is the time between the exposure and the onset of disease. With exposure to asbestos, symptoms may not appear for 15 to 25 years after exposure, sometimes longer.  The department urges any residents of these complexes with questions or concerns about potential medical effects of asbestos exposure to speak with their medical provider. Residents should follow whatever recommendations or instructions their medical providers offer.

 

Where is asbestos commonly found?

A partial list of building materials that may contain asbestos includes: floor tile and related mastics (glue); caulking materials, roofing shingles and flashing; wall and ceiling textures, including “popcorn” or “cottage cheese” textures; pipe, duct and boiler insulation; linoleum; drywall and drywall mud (joint compound); vermiculite insulation; cement asbestos board shingles and siding; and acoustic ceiling tile and plaster.