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State Confirms Elevated PFAS Levels in Pueblo Water System
Hundreds of residents impacted as state issues emergency grant for PFAS-removing filters
Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:47pm
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State health officials have detected elevated levels of PFAS chemicals, often referred to as "forever chemicals", in the Baxter Water and Services system that serves about 350 people east of Pueblo, Colorado. The state has issued an emergency grant to provide PFAS-approved pitcher filters to affected households, and a public town hall meeting is being coordinated to distribute the filters and answer questions.
Why it matters
PFAS chemicals have been linked to increased cancer risk, immune system effects, and developmental risks in children. This contamination in the Pueblo water system raises concerns about public health and the need for effective water treatment to remove these persistent chemicals.
The details
State test results showed one PFAS compound exceeded the federal limit, while another measured nearly double the federal drinking water standard of 4 parts per trillion. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued an emergency grant to provide PFAS-removing pitcher filters to each affected household served by the Baxter Water and Services system.
- On January 30, 2026, state health officials confirmed the elevated PFAS levels in the Baxter Water and Services system.
- A public town hall meeting is being coordinated by CDPHE to distribute the PFAS-removing filters and answer questions from residents.
The players
Baxter Water and Services
A water utility company that serves about 350 people east of Pueblo, Colorado, where state testing found elevated PFAS levels.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
The state agency that confirmed the PFAS contamination and issued an emergency grant to provide PFAS-removing filters to affected households.
What’s next
A public town hall meeting is being coordinated by CDPHE where the PFAS-removing filters will be distributed and questions from residents will be answered.
The takeaway
This PFAS contamination in the Pueblo water system underscores the need for robust water treatment and monitoring to protect public health from these persistent chemicals, which have been linked to serious health risks. The state's emergency response to provide filtration systems is a critical step to address the issue.
