YourVoice.Now Summary
Your MoneyCivil LibertiesPeople hurt by the 2015 Gold King Mine spill could get paid on EPA claims that were denied or not fully paid
Your Money
People and businesses whose 2017 EPA claims for spill losses were denied or underpaid could be paid. Payment is capped at the amount first claimed, with no interest or punitive damages.
The EPA would have to set the amount owed on each old claim within 180 days after the bill becomes law. Colorado law would guide how damages are figured.
Civil Liberties
A claimant unhappy with the EPA's final decision could ask the federal court in Colorado to change or overturn it. The court would uphold the decision if the EPA's record gives solid support for it.
More about this bill
If you lost money from the 2015 Gold King Mine spill in Colorado, you could finally be paid. The spill happened while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was checking the old mine. It sent more than 3 million gallons of acid mine water with heavy metals into the Animas and San Juan Rivers. You would qualify only if you filed a claim with the EPA by August 5, 2017, and it was turned down or not fully paid. Homeowners, livestock owners, farmers, and recreation companies and other businesses can qualify. A business must still be open when paid, and it cannot own a mine or do mining work. Anyone who settled with the government for more than $2,500, or got a court ruling, is left out. The EPA would have 180 days to decide each claim. Payments could cover harm to property or people. They could also cover lost business income and crop losses through December 31, 2015. Costs to move livestock or find other water through October 15, 2015, would count too. Vacation rental income and emotional distress would not. You could get no more than you first asked for, with no interest added. Taking a payment would end your other claims against the government over the spill. You could challenge the EPA's decision in federal court in Colorado within 60 days. Up to $3.3 million is set aside for payments. It is labeled emergency spending, so if the President agrees, it would not count against yearly spending limits. The bill was introduced in February 2025 and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It has had no further action.
Congressional Summary
Gold King Mine Spill Compensation Act of 2025 This bill authorizes and provides funding for compensation for certain homeowners, livestock grazers, farmers, and companies who suffered damages as a result of the Gold King Mine spill on August 5, 2015, in southwest Colorado. To be eligible for compensation, a homeowner, livestock grazer, farmer, or company (1) must have submitted an administrative claim to the Environmental Protection Agency on or before August 5, 2017, that was denied or not fully compensated; and (2) must not have entered a settlement with the United States for an amount exceeding $2,500. Under the bill, covered damages include lost business income, expenses arising from relocating livestock and providing alternative water supplies, and crop loss or diminished crop yield.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-02-13
- Date Added
- 2026-10-15
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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