Six people died at a dairy on the Colorado plains from an apparent accident involving exposure to gas, authorities said Thursday.
The dead are all male and Hispanic, said Jolene Weiner, chief deputy coroner for Weld County. Their identities were being withheld pending notification of the families.
“We are investigating these deaths as the possible consequence of gas exposure in a confined space,” Weiner said. Autopsies are planned and investigators are looking into what kind of gases may have played a role in the deaths.
The dairy, Prospect Valley Dairy, is located along a rural road near Keenesburg, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) northeast of Denver.
Crews entered a confined space at the dairy on Wednesday and recovered the bodies, the Southeast Weld Fire Protection District said.
Weld County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Melissa Chesmore said her agency didn’t find anything criminal in nature.
“It looks like an accident,” she said. She didn’t elaborate on the nature of the emergency or say where exactly the bodies were found, referring questions to occupational safety regulators.
Chauntra Rideaux, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson, said in an email that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating and that more information would be available after it’s complete.
Dairy Farmers of America said a “tragic accident” occurred at a member farm in Keenesburg that resulted in the deaths of six people.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident, and our thoughts and most sincere condolences go out to the friends and families of the deceased. At this early stage, we have no further details,” the cooperative of dairy farmers said in a statement.
County tax records say the property is owned by Prospect Valley Dairy LLC and list a Bakersfield, California, address for the owners. Phone messages left for a number at the California address were not immediately returned.
The dairy has a milking parlor 32,500 square feet (3,000 square meters) in size, according to county recordss. It also has two free stall barns, one built in 2017 that is more than 450,000 square feet (nearly 42,000 square meters) and another built last year that is more than 100,000 square feet (more than 9,000 square meters).
Keenesburg’s website says it’s a town of 2,000 people in a growing area 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Denver International Airport. It says it offers small town living with the convenience of nearby amenities.
Weld County more broadly is a major agricultural producer. Three-quarters of its land is devoted to farming and raising livestock. It’s Colorado’s leading dairy producer and the state’s biggest source of beef cattle, grain and sugar beets.
Census data from 2020 says 30% of the county was Hispanic or Latino, compared to 22% for the state overall. More than 14% of the county spoke Spanish at home.
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Lee reported from Santa Fe, New Mexico and McAvoy reported from Honolulu. Associated Press Writer Corey Williams contributed from Detroit.
