Colorado § 34-32-124.5 - Emergencies endangering public health or welfare or environment.

§ 34-32-124.5. Emergencies endangering public health or welfare or environment.

(1) Following an investigation, an emergency response is justified pursuant to section 34-32-122 (3) if the board or office determines that:

(a) Any person is:

(I) Engaging in any activity not sanctioned by, or that constitutes a material violation of, a permit for a mining operation if such activity constitutes an immediate, undue, and unwarranted risk of serious harm to persons or property or to the environment;

(II) An operator with a permit who is failing or refusing to respond to a board order requiring corrective actions for any failure or imminent failure of:

(A) Any impoundment, embankment, or slope identified in the permit;

(B) Any environmental protection facility or measure identified in the permit that is designed for control or containment of chemicals or waste that are toxic, toxic-forming, or acid; or

(C) Any other measure identified in the permit or as provided for in this article or any rule promulgated pursuant to this article that is intended to protect human health or property or the environment; or

(b) Circumstances exist, regardless of whether caused by a person, at a legacy mine that create a danger to public health or welfare or the environment.

Source: L. 93: Entire section added, p. 1196, § 15, effective July 1. L. 2016: Entire section amended, (HB 16-1276), ch. 165, p. 526, § 2, effective May 17. L. 2025: (1)(b) amended, (SB 25-054), ch. 200, p. 894, § 11, effective August 6; (1)(b) amended, (SB 25-300), ch. 428, p. 2454, § 50, effective August 6.

Editor's note: Amendments to subsection (1)(b) by SB 25-054 and SB 25-300 were harmonized.

Cross references: For the short title ("Legacy Mining and Modernization Act") and the legislative declaration in SB 25-054, see sections 1 and 2 of chapter 200, Session Laws of Colorado 2025.