GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A gasoline leak from a pipeline southeast of Durango is inching closer to the Animas River, raising fears among Southern Ute tribal leaders and environmental advocates that a major ecological threat may be looming.
According to the Colorado Sun, about 23,000 gallons of gasoline spilled on Florida Mesa in December, and chemical detectors are now finding benzene, a known carcinogen, seeping into spring beds that flow toward the Animas River.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has confirmed it is the sixth-largest pipeline spill the agency has dealt with in recent years.
Tribal Leaders: Response Is Too Slow
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe, whose reservation lies downstream, is calling for immediate acceleration of cleanup efforts by both the pipeline’s owner and the state.
“The cleanup work is moving far too slowly,” tribal leaders told the Colorado Sun. “We’re extremely concerned about the risk to our lands, waters, and people.”
The tribe, whose fishing and agricultural activities depend on the Animas River, fears long-term contamination could compromise ecosystems and cultural livelihoods.
Benzene Detection Raises Alarm
Benzene has now been detected in nearby spring beds, which some environmental scientists consider early warning signs of groundwater mobilizing toxic elements toward surface waterways.
While the state health department insists there’s no definitive evidence the Animas River will be contaminated, experts say spring detections signal the need for urgent containment.
“Benzene is mobile in groundwater and highly toxic in even small quantities,” said one hydrogeologist familiar with similar incidents. “Once it hits surface water, the game changes completely.”
Regulatory Oversight Under Scrutiny
As pressure mounts from tribal and environmental leaders, questions are growing around whether the state and the pipeline operator acted quickly and transparently enough after the December spill.
The name of the pipeline operator has not been disclosed by CDPHE in recent briefings, and no public timeline has been issued for complete remediation.
The leak’s proximity to the Animas River, which suffered major contamination in 2015 from the Gold King Mine disaster, is rekindling fears in La Plata County and beyond.
Local Impact and Historical Context
The Animas River is a critical lifeline for communities in southwest Colorado, used for irrigation, fishing, and recreation. A potential benzene spill into the river could have cascading effects on agriculture and public health.
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Spill Size | 23,000 gallons of gasoline |
| Location | Florida Mesa, near Durango |
| Detected Contaminant | Benzene |
| River at Risk | Animas River |
| Agency Response | Ongoing; sixth largest spill handled by CDPHE |
| Tribal Involvement | Southern Ute leaders demanding faster cleanup |
Risk Not Yet Ruled Out
Despite state assurances that no contamination has entered the Animas River so far, tribal leaders and environmental groups are calling for independent monitoring and greater transparency from the pipeline company.
“The only acceptable solution is containment and removal before the river is touched,” a Southern Ute spokesperson said. “We’ve lived through one river disaster—we won’t wait for another.”
