Project Rio Blanco Nuclear Test Site: Approved for EEOICPA DOL White Card benefits

The Project Rio Blanco Nuclear Test is one of Colorado’s forgotten atomic experiments

About 50 miles north of Rifle, Colorado lies the Project Rio Blanco Nuclear Test Site. On May 17, 1973, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and private oil companies conducted a nuclear test here as part of Project Plowshare, which was intended to develop peaceful uses for nuclear explosions.

Project Plowshare involved three sites in Colorado:

1. Project Rio Blanco near Rifle, Colorado
2. Project Rulison near Grand Valley, Colorado (now named Parachute)
3. Project Bronco in Rio Blanco County, Colorado (abandoned after initial planning)

While the project was meant to advance natural gas production by fracturing underground rock using nuclear explosions, it instead exposed workers and the surrounding environment to radiation and hazardous chemicals.

How the test worked

• Three nuclear devices, each with a yield of 33 kilotons, were detonated simultaneously at depths of 5,838, 6,230, and 6,689 feet below the surface.

The idea was that the explosions would create underground cavities, allowing natural gas to flow more freely. However, the gas was too radioactive to be safely used, making the project a failure. Workers were directly exposed to radiation and toxic substances throughout the test’s preparation, execution, and aftermath.

Adverse health effects among workers

Like many Cold War-era nuclear projects, safety protocols at Rio Blanco were inadequate, leading to long-term health consequences for workers.

1. Radiation exposure and cancer risks

• Workers handled radioactive materials with minimal protective gear.

• While the detonations occurred underground, radioactive particles were released through venting and leaks.

• Gamma radiation and neutron exposure significantly increased the risk of leukemia, lung cancer, and thyroid cancer.

2. Chemical exposure and respiratory issues

• The nuclear explosions produced radioactive noble gases, including krypton-85 and xenon-133, which workers inhaled.

• Exposure to barium, strontium, and cesium led to respiratory illnesses and chronic lung conditions.

• Drilling operations disturbed toxic heavy metals, including uranium and lead, which caused neurological and kidney damage over time.

3. Groundwater contamination and related illnesses

• Nuclear tests at Rio Blanco introduced radioactive isotopes into the water table.

• Workers and nearby communities relied on contaminated groundwater, leading to higher incidences of gastrointestinal cancers and birth defects.

4. Psychological and neurological effects

• Many Rio Blanco workers later reported memory loss, chronic fatigue, and neurological disorders, likely caused by prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation and toxic chemicals.

• Stress and anxiety over long-term radiation exposure also led to mental health struggles among former workers and their families.

Environmental and community impact

The Rio Blanco test site was abandoned after the project failed, but its environmental effects continue to be a concern.

Soil and water contamination

• Studies conducted decades later found elevated radiation levels in soil samples.

• Radioactive contamination of underground water sources remains a persistent concern.

Wildlife and ecosystem impact

• The surrounding ecosystem was exposed to low levels of radiation, affecting plants and wildlife.

• Bioaccumulation of radioactive elements in animals has raised concerns about human consumption of local game.

Government response and cleanup efforts

Over time, growing concerns about the long-term effects of nuclear testing led to cleanup and monitoring efforts.

• 1976: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sealed the test boreholes, but radioactive contamination remains underground.

• 1990s–present: Ongoing groundwater testing and environmental monitoring continue to assess long-term risks.

While the site itself is largely forgotten, the people who worked there and the health effects they endured cannot be overlooked.

Approved for EEOICPA DOL White Card benefits

The Project Rio Blanco Nuclear Test Site is an approved site for The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program or the EEOICPA DOL White Card Program. 

As of March 2025, Project Rio Blanco workers have received over $3.3 million in EEOICPA settlements and medical bills paid.

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