US, Colorado reach proposed settlement in 2015 mine spill

DENVER (AP) - Colorado, the U.S. government and a gold mining company have agreed to resolve a longstanding dispute over who’s responsible for cleanup at a Superfund site that was established after a massive 2015 spill of hazardous mine waste.

The spill in southwestern Colorado fouled rivers with a sickly yellow sheen in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

The proposed settlement announced Friday, Jan. 21, would direct $90 million to cleanup at the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Denver-based Sunnyside Gold Corp.

A U.S. District Court in New Mexico would approve the proposed settlement after a public comment period.

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