Rocky Mountain Steel Inc. - Primary Metal Facility in Olathe, Colorado

Rocky Mountain Steel Inc. is a primary metal facility situated in Olathe, Colorado, United States. The plant is operational and classified under NAICS codes 331111 (iron and steel mills) and 332710 (machine shops), indicating involvement in steel production and related machining activities. Its location along Highway 50 places it in a rural area of western Colorado, near the Uncompahgre River. The facility operates within the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforces multi-media environmental regulations including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Section 313 reporting. As a primary metal plant, it is subject to specific emissions standards and waste management requirements under these laws. The scale of the facility is typical for a regional steel mill, serving markets in the western United States. Primary metal facilities like Rocky Mountain Steel Inc. play a significant role in the regional economy by supplying steel for construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The plant's environmental significance stems from its potential emissions of particulate matter, greenhouse gases, and metal-containing wastes, which are regulated under the EPA's sector-specific guidelines. Community proximity and local air quality are key considerations for ongoing operations.

The facility is located in Olathe, Colorado, a rural area in the Uncompahgre River valley. The region's semi-arid climate and agricultural land use mean that air and water quality are important local concerns. Primary metal operations can generate particulate emissions, heavy metal dust, and process wastewater, which are regulated under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. The plant's proximity to the Uncompahgre River necessitates careful management of stormwater and process discharges to protect aquatic ecosystems.