State Health Officials Monitor Hydrogen Sulfide Levels at Local Biogas Facility
Colorado health officials are closely monitoring the Platte River Biogas facility in LaSalle after elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide—an unhealthy, flammable gas—were detected. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) reported instances of this naturally occurring gas, often likened to "swamp gas" or "sewer gas" due to its distinct rotten egg odor, following instruments readings from the facility.
Hydrogen sulfide can arise from various sources, including crude petroleum and organic matter breakdown, and it presents significant health risks at high concentrations. Following complaints of unusual odors from nearby residents, CDPHE began enhanced air quality monitoring around the facility, using advanced technologies to analyze both the plant’s emissions and the air quality approximately 2,000 feet away. While officials noted that there is currently no indication of an acute public health threat, further assessments are being carried out in collaboration with Weld County Public Health and other agencies.
Established in 2010, the Platte River Biogas facility was once considered the largest co-digestion anaerobic digester project in the world, converting manure and food waste into renewable natural gas. However, the plant has faced challenges, including odors that prompted early complaints from neighbors and issues regarding the licensing of its liquid fertilizer production, which ultimately resulted in a shutdown.
Under new ownership, Platte River Biogas claims to rank as the fourth largest facility of its kind in North America, and it reportedly produces clean water for agricultural use daily. The facility operates adjacent to dairy farms, including the Shelton Dairy, which faced scrutiny from OSHA in a separate incident in 2021.
As investigations continue, residents remain vigilant about air quality in the area.