Located in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood (in the most polluted zip code in the U.S.) American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) had acquired most of its rivals by 1901, including the giant Guggenheim Smelting firm. It soon became a giant international ore processing power and a major employer. Over its 100+ years, ASARCO refined gold, silver, and copper, was a lead smelter and refined arsenic. ASARCO was also a serious polluter contaminating the area with toxic waste. It became an EPA Superfund site and is closed today. The site has been remediated.
Courtesy Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel and Kendra Black
Image: Denver’s pioneer Argo Smelter, one of many to become part of ASARCO, fancied showing its smoke which meant jobs and prosperity in those days. Credit: Tom Noel Collection