CF&I Steel (Colorado Fuel and Iron) — Pueblo, Colorado

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that workers at Colorado Fuel and Iron Company (CF&I) — later Oregon Steel Mills and now Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel — in Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado, sustained occupational asbestos exposure during steelmaking operations spanning much of the twentieth century.

Facility Background

Colorado Fuel and Iron established its integrated steelworks in Pueblo beginning in 1881, and the facility grew to become the largest integrated steel plant west of the Mississippi River. CF&I produced structural steel, wire rod, bar products, rail, and seamless steel pipe. The Pueblo steelworks employed tens of thousands of workers over its history and was the economic backbone of the Pueblo community.

Plaintiffs alleged that the CF&I Steelworks, like other large integrated steel mills of the era, relied extensively on asbestos insulation, refractory materials, and asbestos-containing gaskets and seals throughout its blast furnaces, steelmaking vessels, rolling mills, and utility systems.

Alleged Asbestos Pathways

Plaintiffs alleged in litigation that asbestos exposure occurred through multiple pathways:

  • Blast furnace insulation and refractory: Plaintiffs alleged that workers maintaining blast furnace hot stoves and associated piping encountered asbestos-containing insulation and refractory products during repair and construction.
  • Steel mill steam systems: Plaintiffs alleged that the extensive steam generating and distribution systems serving the Pueblo steelworks used asbestos pipe covering, boiler block insulation, and refractory cement throughout.
  • Rolling mill maintenance: Plaintiffs alleged that millwrights, pipefitters, and maintenance mechanics encountered asbestos insulation and gasket materials throughout rolling and finishing operations.
  • Pipe and tube manufacturing: Plaintiffs alleged that workers in the seamless pipe manufacturing operations encountered asbestos-containing materials in furnace operations and heat treatment systems.
  • Gaskets and packing throughout: Plaintiffs alleged that flanged connections and valve assemblies throughout the steelworks used asbestos compressed-fiber gaskets and braided packing.

Colorado has a two-year statute of limitations under C.R.S. § 13-80-102, running from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis under the discovery rule. Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year limit. Denver District Court handles most Colorado asbestos claims.

Workers who were employed at CF&I Steel in Pueblo and who have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related disease may have legal remedies available. Contact O’Brien Law Firm at (314) 237-3332 to discuss your work history and legal options at no cost.