Rico, a quaint town nestled in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, has finally secured a much-needed victory in its decades-long struggle against lead contamination. After years of negotiation and collaboration, the town, state officials, and Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) have reached a comprehensive agreement to address the environmental and health risks posed by lead pollution.

The settlement will fund a multi-year cleanup effort, including the excavation and removal of lead-contaminated soil from residential yards and the remediation of lead-tainted roadways. The project is expected to take several years to complete, with the most disruptive work, such as road excavation, scheduled for the summer of 2026.

The agreement marks a significant milestone for Rico, a community that has been grappling with the consequences of historic mining activities for generations. Lead contamination, a byproduct of the region's rich mining heritage, has permeated the town's soil, water, and air, posing serious health risks to residents, particularly children.

Rico Mayor Nicole Pieterse expressed her satisfaction with the agreement, acknowledging the significant effort required to bring it to fruition. She emphasized the town's commitment to protecting public health and preserving its natural beauty.

ARCO has been actively involved in addressing the environmental legacy of its past mining operations in the region. The company has invested considerable resources in cleaning up contaminated water and waste from the Argentine complex, a former lead and silver mine.

As Rico embarks on this new chapter, the town's residents can look forward to a future free from the threat of lead contamination. This hard-won victory is a testament to the resilience and determination of a small community that has fought tirelessly to reclaim its health and its heritage.

About ARCO –

Atlantic Richfield Company, commonly known as ARCO, was a major American oil company that played a significant role in the energy industry for much of the 20th century. Founded in 1961 because of a merger between the Atlantic Refining Company and the Richfield Oil Corporation, ARCO quickly became one of the largest and most influential players in the oil and gas sector. Its operations spanned exploration, production, refining, and marketing, with a particular focus on energy development in the United States and abroad.

In the 1980s, the company was one of the leading oil producers in the United States, and its brands, such as the ARCO gasoline stations, became household names across the country. ARCO was acquired by BP (British Petroleum) in 2000.