The Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are working with the City of Pueblo and other partners to mitigate potential impacts after approximately 4.25 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled from Pueblo's wastewater treatment plant into the Arkansas River just east of I-25 in Pueblo.

According to current information, the spill began August 26, 2026, and operators stopped it August 27, 2026, upon discovery. At the time the state was notified, the City of Pueblo had already taken steps to notify affected Coloradans.

The Arkansas River provides water to many farms and ranches between Pueblo and the state line in southeastern Colorado. The Colorado Department of Agriculture notified registered produce growers along the Arkansas River Valley of the spill upon learning the extent of the situation from the City of Pueblo.

Discharges of raw sewage into waterways contain harmful bacteria that present risks to human health. Produce growers who fall under the FDA's Produce Safety Rule must ensure any water they use before, during, or after harvest is of adequate quality.