In response to the flooding that began in mid-September and continued through October in Southwest Colorado, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued flash flood guidance for the management and disposal of flood debris.
Prompt cleanup helps residents move forward while minimizing public health and environmental issues. To enable timely cleanup, CDPHE will temporarily not enforce certain regulatory requirements for flood debris from the 2026 floods, covering vegetation debris, damaged structures (which may contain asbestos or lead), vehicles, spoiled food, household chemicals, dead animals, electronics, and sandbags.
Local disposal site: The Archuleta Landfill (9179 County Road 500, Pagosa Springs) may accept flood debris.
Call before you haul: 970-398-6106, confirm acceptance before delivering, and take debris directly to the landfill, not a transfer station.
Asbestos questions: CDPHE Indoor Environment Program, 720-507-5136 or cdphe.asbestos@state.co.us
The full guidance, including asbestos trigger levels, disposal notification forms, and CDPHE contacts, is available in the guidance document, which you can download here.
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