Company buys properties near Durango site after major gasoline leak
Texas based Enterprise Products LLC bought five properties south of Durango to secure access for expanded cleanup after the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment estimated the gasoline leak at about 97,000 gallons. The move is intended to allow broader remediation work, but local residents and a trout hatchery owner say concerns about long term impacts and transparency remain.
On November 21, 2025, records show a Texas based subsidiary of Enterprise Products LLC purchased five properties south of Durango near the site of a large gasoline leak that state officials now estimate at roughly 97,000 gallons. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment described the acquisitions as steps to secure access needed for expanded cleanup and remediation work, signaling a shift from initial containment to longer term recovery operations.
State and company overseers have expanded remediation techniques at the site. Actions now include installation of additional monitoring wells, soil vapor extraction, biosparging and other methods designed to remove free product and volatile contaminants from soil and groundwater. Alternative potable water supplies and filtration systems have been supplied for affected homes while testing continues. The department has said oversight will continue until state and federal cleanup standards are met and contingency plans are in place to monitor potential impacts to the Animas River and local groundwater.
Local impacts are already being felt in Dolores County. A nearby trout hatchery owner reported that thousands of young fish died after the spill and says Enterprise has not adequately addressed his losses. He and other residents are calling for extended testing, regular public updates and clearer timelines for remediation. Those concerns reflect broader anxiety about groundwater safety, irrigation, and the downstream recreational and economic value of the Animas River corridor.
From an economic perspective the incident raises questions about property values, agricultural water reliability and small business stability in the county. Remediation work can take months to years depending on contaminant behavior and hydrology. The acquisition of properties by the company may speed access for cleanup crews, but it also underscores the scale of the response and the potential for prolonged disruption to local land use.
CDPHE officials have stated they will maintain oversight and monitoring until cleanup goals are met. For Dolores County residents the immediate priorities are continued access to safe drinking water, transparent testing results and timely public communications about risks to the river and groundwater. The extent and duration of ecological and economic impacts will depend on the effectiveness of the remediation program and ongoing state and federal review.
