Who produces the odors that periodically waft through Denver?
Driven by the more than 1,000 complaints from Denver residents since 2016, city environmental health inspectors pinpointed the following sites as frequent emitters of foul fumes.
— Marijuana industry facilities, more than 320 around Denver, collectively drawing roughly 10% of all odor complaints. These emit skunky, floral smells, even though 314 have had odor control plans approved. Inspections ceased during the pandemic but are scheduled to resume later this year.
— Owens Corning Denver Roofing Plant, 5201 Fox St.: Pungent roofing tar-like smells sweep across north Denver from just west of Interstate 25.
— Trumbull Asphalt Plant, 5201 Bannock St.: Fumes reeking of hydrocarbons likened to diesel and gasoline drew complaints about this facility, where city officials say trucks are loaded with liquid tar.
— Nestle Purina PetCare Corporation, 4555 York St.: Smells described as putrid, mainly from steam generated by drying of undisclosed volumes of pet food.
— DAR PRO Solutions, 5701 York St.: Animal part rendering and cooking oil recycling facility emits putrid smells, compared with stench from rotting flesh.
— Suncor Energy oil refinery, 5801 Brighton Blvd.: Chemical pollutants released from processing fossil fuels carry odors compared with oily rags and rotten eggs.
— Kasel Industries, 3315 Walnut St.: Fetid fumes from the production of pig-ear treats for pets at the plant located in Denver’s newly-gentrified River North area with brewpubs and patio restaurants, where residents filed multiple complaints.
— Denver Metro Wastewater Reclamation plant, 6450 York St.: Sewage smells from water-cleaning plant consistently drew complaints.
— National Western Stock Show, 4655 Humboldt St.: Livestock and other animal odors spread across the city temporarily during this annual event.
