Authorities are asking residents who live near the north slope of Green Mountain for permission to scour their backyards for World War II-era military munitions.
The request stems from on the 2,400 acres of open space in William Frederick Hayden Park at 1000 S. Rooney Rd. in Lakewood.
The site was used as an artillery range when the area housed the Colorado National Guard’s Camp George West training site through 1944. A remedial investigation in 2012 located nine unexploded rounds, which were detonated on-site.
Subsequent sweeps by Department of Defense contractors designed to locate any and all munitions debris and unexploded ordinance also found spent 75-millimeter shells.
Munitions have been found in the area for years, including a hiker who .
A statement from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says the most recent investigation, begun last summer, provides evidence that stray munitions may be present in areas that have since become residential neighborhoods.
Anyone who finds an item that could be munitions-related should consider the item to be dangerous. Never touch, move or disturb these items; officials advise residents to report finds by calling 911.
The Army National Guard and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are holding open houses this week for residents.
Austin Briggs: 303-954-1729, abriggs@denverpost.com or @abriggs
Open houses
When: Wednesday, Feb. 17, noon to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8.
Where: Red Rocks Community College Community Room, 13300 W. 6th Ave., Lakewood
Info: 303 692-3373 or 703 607-7199
