The stench of rotten eggs in the air northeast of Commerce City on Monday is inconvenient, but not dangerous, according to Xcel Energy officials.
An Xcel crew working on a mercaptan tank accidentally released what was described as a small amount of odorant at about 10:30 a.m. in the vicinity of East 96th Avenue and Colorado 2, Xcel spokesman Gabriel Romero said.
The odor spread “for several miles in all directions” and Xcel received calls from residents and people in the area who reported possible gas leaks.
Mercaptan is an organic compound added to natural gas, which is odorless, so consumers will be able to smell a gas leak and report it.
“People are calling in — it’s actually a good thing,” Romero said. “It’s the practice we have in place, and it’s working relatively well.”
Crews in the area double-checked to make sure there was not an actual leak, Romero said.
People who smell suspected gas leaks should call Xcel Energy’s 24-hour natural gas line at 800 895-2999.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or
