Montrose’s Old Power Plant May Get a Wild New Purpose

Montrose, Colorado’s old Bullock Electric Steam Plant, has sat near the shores of the Uncompahgre River since the early 1950s. It was closed in 1983, and since then, has sat quietly across South Rio Grande Avenue behind Montrose High School.

Earlier this summer, the city of Montrose learned it had been awarded a $3.3 million EPA grant to clean up the former power plant site. Once complete, the city hopes to transform the area into a recreation and riverfront hub, which already sits across the river from Cerise Park.

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A Former Montrose Power Plant Along the Uncompahgre River

A New Future Is Taking Shape for Montrose's Power Plant

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The Bullock Electric Steam Plant opened in the early 1950s on a 5.5-acre site on West South Fourth Street and used steam to provide the city’s electricity. If you walk the Uncompahgre Riverway Trail, you may notice it peeking out between the trees on the opposite side of the river. The four-story plant was first a coal-fired facility, and later switched to using natural gas before it was decommissioned. The city purchased the property in 2021 following several years of assessment and planning.

There's More Than an Empty Building to Clean Up

The EPA awarded a sizeable grant for what will be a large cleanup. The $3.3 million will go a long way toward completing the project, which includes removing asbestos and hazardous materials still within the former plant site. The clean-up will also include the removal of 20,000 cubic yards of fly-ash deposits (heavy metals, trace elements, sometimes radioactive particles) on the western side of the property. An investigation into the site found no groundwater contamination, according to the City of Montrose environmental assessment.

The Old Power Plant Could Become a Climbing Gym

A New Future Is Taking Shape for Montrose's Power Plant

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The city’s timeline indicates the clean-up will be ongoing through 2027. If all goes well, the city of Montrose plans to reuse the building as a multi-level indoor climbing gym for all ages. The city envisions public river access for kayaking and fishing, connections to the river trail, and the rehabilitation of a cooling pond. There's a long way to go, but we love the sound of more riverwalk upgrades. We're excited to watch the progress.