Is it Safe to Buy a Home in Candelas? Let’s Talk About It!

And we can start with an open conversation about Rocky Flats.  After all, it's not a 4 letter word, but something smart consumers need to educate themselves about.

If you’ve been looking at homes in Candelas, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard the question:

“Isn’t Candelas right next to Rocky Flats?”

Yes. It is.

And if you’re considering spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home, I think it’s completely reasonable to want to know what that actually means.

Rocky Flats was a former nuclear weapons production facility located just south of Candelas. The site had a complicated environmental history, including contamination that required a major federal cleanup. That history is real. It’s also the reason you’ll find a lot of conflicting information online about whether it’s safe to live in Candelas.

So what’s the real answer?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EPA and Colorado regulators, the areas of Rocky Flats that were cleaned up and released for other uses were determined to be appropriate for those uses. The former plant site is also subject to ongoing monitoring and environmental controls. That doesn’t mean there is nothing left to monitor. There are still restricted areas at the former Rocky Flats site, including groundwater and soil areas that require long-term management.

But here’s an important distinction: Candelas is not the former Rocky Flats production facility.

Candelas was developed on land outside the former production area, and environmental investigations were conducted as the community was developed. One environmental study of Candelas found radiation readings at background levels and concluded residential development was appropriate.

What about the water? This is another question I hear.

Arvada's drinking water comes from Ralston Reservoir and Arvada Reservoir and is treated at the city's water treatment plants to meet federal and state drinking-water standards. The city tests its water every day and publishes an annual water quality report.

So, should Rocky Flats be part of your decision when you're buying in Candelas?

Absolutely.

Should it automatically scare you away from buying there?

I don't think the available government and environmental information supports that conclusion. But I also don't think you should brush off the question or simply accept “it's fine” from someone trying to sell you a house.

If you're buying in Candelas, do your homework. Look at the environmental history. Look at the specific property. Ask questions. Read the reports. And if you still aren't comfortable, bring in an environmental professional who can help you understand the information.   

That's the kind of conversation I think buyers deserve.

Thinking About Buying in Candelas?

I currently have a home listed at 15807 W 95th Ave, and if you're considering Candelas, it's a good example of what the neighborhood offers today.

It's a ranch-style home with an open floor plan, a large kitchen island, three bedrooms, a covered patio, a 2-car garage and an unfinished basement ready for whatever you want to do with it.

And yes, when I'm helping someone buy a home in Candelas, Rocky Flats is something I'm happy to talk through with them.

Because buying a home isn't just about finding one you love.

You should feel good about where you're buying, too.