On some windy, winter days, the dust from the Butala mining operations in Smeltertown is thick; hanging in the blustery air like an orangy-brown curtain. Per the Colorado Division of Mining Reclamation and Safety, gravel mining operations are required to have an air quality permit associated with their state mining permit. As of July 7, 2026, Butala’s operation in Smeltertown has been shut down by the state of Colorado for permit violations. The soils around the historic smelting tower are polluted from mining operations that stretch back more than 100 years. After that inspection, the 2024 permit agreement was crafted, requiring Butula’s mining operations to meet Superfund cleanup standards.