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Abandoned Coal Mines Cause Problems
Did you know that a large portion of Colorado Springs
was used for coal mining from the late 1800’s to the 1950’s?
It was mainly done in the area around the Colorado Springs Country Club northwest to Rockrimmon.
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Coal has a long history in Colorado and it is currently used to supply approximately 71% of Colorado’s electricity needs.
Federal and State law were enacted in 1977 that require potential surface subsidence to be taken into account in mining plans. But prior to that time, the effect of mining on the surface was not fully considered. Consequently many homes were built over these old mines in Colorado Springs and it’s important for home owners and potential buyers to beware of the risks and dangers.
The rock comprising the roof of the mine can begin to fracture over time and collapse into the open mine. And water from below can rot out the timbers and pillars. Or water can seep in from above, causing collapse. Many mining engineers say the best prevention for home owners is to prevent water from seeping around foundations. Another suggestion is to raise the ground around foundations to encourage water to drain away. And install gutters and downspouts, even underground drains, to promote drainage.
The last major collapse in Colorado Springs was in 2005, when five houses on Country Club Circle, near Union Boulevard and North Circle Drive, were threatened. This neighborhood was built on top of the abandoned Rapson mine, which produced 600,000 tons of coal from 1900 until 1916.
In some areas of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities installs flexible connectors to natural gas lines in the neighborhood to prevent an explosion from a collapse. And the state is paying for constant ground monitoring in some targeted areas; as well as surveyors have buried stakes in the yards of some homes and continue to keep a watch on them for shifting.
There is a Mine Subsidence Protect Program, which is essentially an insurance policy. The program costs $35 a year for three years to get lifetime coverage. There is a onetime $200 inspection fee and a $1,000 deductible, with a maximum payment of $100,000 per subsidence event up to the market value of the home for multiple events. The program is available for any home built before Feb. 22, 1989. Phone number for Colorado Mine Subsidence Program is , 1- 800-44-MINES (1-800-446-4637).
Also, as I was researching this article, I did find some interesting resources available for homeowners and potential home buyers.
- Subsidence Above Inactive Coal Mines: Information for the Homeowner by J.E. Turney
- Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Reclamation Safety
Includes Maps of Cragmoor and Rockrimmon. According to the web site: “These maps show the approximate location of abandoned underground coal mines as they are mapped under the city or town shown. The lines on the map indicate the approximate outline of mining and the approximate depth in feet to the coal mine. These areas represent the potential subsidence area.”
Their phone # is 303-866-3567
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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
Hi, I am looking to purchase a home in the Rockrimmon area. Is there a place to find out if the house is over an old mine? please let me know. Thanks, Mary
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