While Golden, Colorado is widely recognized as the location for the Rocky Flats Plant, an often-overlooked aspect of this area is the Coors Porcelain Company which existed at the intersection of ceramics and nuclear science. William Kistler “Bill” Coors (shown above) and his porcelain company made notable contributions to both everyday life and extraordinary technological advancements for the Manhattan Project.
Founded in 1910, Coors Porcelain, now known as CoorsTek, has been a key player in the ceramics industry. While the Coors name is commonly associated with beer, the porcelain division initially focused on producing household items like mugs and bowls. Over time, the company's expertise in ceramics led to its involvement in more complex and significant endeavors.
In the mid-20th century, during the height of the nuclear arms race, Coors Porcelain became an important supplier to the U.S. government. The company provided specialized components such as high-quality ceramic insulators capable of handling the tremendous electrical loads essential for calutrons used at the Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The company also produced fuel elements using beryllium ceramics for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for Project Pluto.
Despite Coors Porcelain's significant contributions to national defense, the work involved considerable health risks. Former employees have reported various health issues, often attributed to exposure to toxic materials like beryllium used in production processes. The handling of uranium dust and other hazardous substances during the manufacturing of ceramic components created an environment that posed significant long-term health risks to workers.
The Coors Porcelain company is an approved facility for The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program or the EEOICPA DOL White Card Program.
As of February 2025, Coors Porcelain workers have received over $11 million in EEOICPA settlements and medical bills paid.
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