Colorado’s water systems are at a critical decision point.

The settlement administrator will evaluate factors such as:

• PFAS concentration levels in your water sources.
• Adjusted flow rates (based on your three highest years in a 10-year period).

Colorado cities with high PFAS scores could qualify for a 4x multiplier on their PFAS settlement awards, potentially unlocking millions of dollars for their PWS.

A list of Colorado PWS that qualify for the 3M and Dupont settlements is provided at the end of this page.

Estimated Flow Rates:

We estimate flow rates are approximately 1,500 GPM per 10,000 people served.
This is an estimate and there may be variation due to many factors including commercial use of the water system.
The actual flow rate is known by the water utility.

The ranges provided in the 3M Estimated Allocation Range Table are based on data publicly available at the time of the Settlement, reasonable assumptions, and good faith estimates. The ranges presented in this Table are not the actual settlement awards that will be allocated to each Impacted Water Source because: certain data is not publicly available; the full extent of Impacted Water Sources is unknown; and the extent of participation in the settlement among putative members of the Settlement Class is unknown.

Stag Liuzza has decades of experience handling environmental litigation nationwide. The judge overseeing the national AFFF PFAS litigation appointed Mike Stag to the PEC. Our PFAS lawyers have secured billions in settlements from 3M and Dupont. Whether you represent a small rural water district or a large metropolitan area, we can help you navigate PFAS lawsuits, federal court proceedings, and all aspects of filing a successful PFAS settlement claim. Stag Liuzza’s track record includes:

• A major water district serving over 200,000 customers, estimated to receive $14 million+ in settlement funds
• A mid-size municipality serving 15,000 customers, estimated to recover $3.3 million
• A smaller town serving 5,000 customers, expected to obtain $4.7 million in funding

Colorado municipalities have the opportunity to access vital funding through Phase 2 of the national PFAS settlement with 3M and Dupont. This funding is essential for PWS to reimburse PFAS-related costs, conduct water testing, implement remediation plans, and establish long-term protection against PFAS contamination.

Missing key deadlines will forfeit settlement funds owed to Colorado public drinking water systems, and put significant financial strain on both systems and rate payers.

Colorado’s public drinking water systems are at a critical juncture in the fight against PFAS contamination. These PFAS chemicals—often called “forever chemicals”—pose serious health concerns for residents, threaten local ecosystems, and can result in tens of millions of dollars in remediation costs if left unaddressed. Many products, including firefighting foam, electronics, and packaging, contain PFAS. This contributes to environmental contamination and serious health risks.

The Phase 2 PFAS Settlement available to many Colorado cities and towns provides financial resources to help municipalities test for, mitigate, and manage PFAS exposure in their water supply in order to follow compliance with evolving federal guidelines and safeguarding public health.

The Phase 2 Public Water System Settlement provides essential funding for Colorado public water systems to tackle PFAS contamination. This settlement supports PFAS remediation and ensures compliance with federal PFAS standards.

These resources enable municipalities to identify and remediate contamination effectively, helping protect their water systems. Acting promptly reduces the financial burden of treatment measures and ensures compliance with federal PFAS standards.

Secure critical funding today. PWS cannot wait to take action later. This settlement is the only opportunity to receive funds from 3M and Dupont.

The Phase 2 Settlement offers vital financial and legal benefits to Colorado’s municipalities. Below is an introduction to the core advantages:

Settlement awards alleviate expensive out-of-pocket expenses for municipalities, saving customers from substantial rate hikes. The settlement pays a PWS even if the PFAS detection levels are below the EPA 4 ppt standard.

Early identification and treatment of drinking water contaminated with PFAS can limit adverse outcomes for public drinking water systems.

The EPA has set a national standard of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS. Public drinking water systems are required to test pursuant to UCMR-5. National Clean Drinking Water Act standards will apply to most PWS.

Address PFAS contamination proactively and secure funds necessary to respond to unfunded national mandates. 

PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various industries and consumer products. These chemicals are known for their resistance to heat, water, and oil, making them useful in applications such as non-stick cookware, food packaging, and firefighting foam. However, PFAS have also been linked to serious health concerns, including cancer, thyroid disease, and reproductive issues.

PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally in the environment and can persist for hundreds of years. This persistence has led to widespread contamination of soil, water, and air, making PFAS a widespread environmental and public health concern.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a range of serious health effects, including:

CANCER:

PFAS have been linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, including testicular and kidney cancer.

THYROID CONDITIONS:

PFAS have been shown to disrupt thyroid function, leading to conditions such as hypothyroidism.

REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES:

PFAS have been linked to reproductive problems, including reduced fertility and increased risk of pregnancy complications.

IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPRESSION:

PFAS have been shown to weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to illness and infection.

The health effects of PFAS exposure can be severe and long-lasting, making it essential to take steps to minimize exposure and address contamination.

PFAS chemicals are widely used across various industries, including firefighting foam (aqueous film-forming foam), food packaging, and other everyday products. Over time, these harmful chemicals have seeped into drinking water supplies, contaminated groundwater, and even private drinking water wells throughout Colorado.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other government agencies have issued guidelines under legislation such as the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to address PFAS pollution. Colorado municipalities must take swift action to meet these federal guidelines, mitigate legal exposure, and protect public health.

Public drinking water systems in Colorado can expect to receive millions of dollars in settlement funds needed to respond to PFAS in its water sources. The 3M and Dupont Phase 2 settlement offers financial support necessary to avoid passing the bill to taxpayers and rate payers.

Municipalities with any detectable PFAS and significant flow rates could qualify for awards in millions.

Water systems with higher PFAS detection levels may qualify for a 4x multiplier on settlement amounts.

Without action, Colorado PWS with detectable levels of PFAS may face long-term consequences, including increased public health risks, regulatory action, reduced property values, and significant financial burdens.

Municipalities across Colorado face potential remediation expenses in the tens of millions. Litigation to recover costs from the PFAS industry is ongoing at the federal level. The AFFF Product Liability Litigation is the national case that resulted in the $13.6 Billion settlement with 3M and Dupont.

Public water systems in Colorado risk losing out on millions of dollars if they fail to take legal action. Specifically, water systems must meet not only the settlement deadlines, but also evaluate any unsettled damage claims. These claims include costs to public waste water and sewage treatment systems. Many defendants in the litigation have not settled with public drinking water systems in the hope that they will fail to take action. Public water systems that fail to act before the deadlines will forfeit their claim to millions of dollars in funding.

Therefore, public water systems must take immediate action to protect their financial interests.

Mike Stag, a member of the court-appointed Executive Committee for PFAS litigation, currently represents PWS in 26 states to claim their share of the $13.6 Billion settlement fund.

For Colorado municipalities and public water systems, filing a settlement claim and joining the ongoing litigation is a critical step in securing the financial and legal protections your community needs. Below is a brief overview for municipal water systems looking to recover costs related to PFAS:

• Arrange for reputable laboratory testing to determine PFAS concentration levels in your public water sources. The settlement terms require testing of each PWS water source.
• The settlement pays the PWS if there are any positive detections, even below the EPA’s 4 ppt standard.

Stag Liuzza may be able to help cover the costs of testing.

• Partner with an environmental law firm specializing in PFAS litigation to navigate complex legal settlement terms.
• Hiring an attorney can help you meet strict court deadlines, gather essential documentation, and maximize potential settlement money.

• Submit all required documentation, including PFAS testing results and flow rate data, to initiate your claim.
• Stay compliant with court deadlines and settlement requirements to avoid disqualification and secure settlement funds.

A group of toxic chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS, used in products such as firefighting foam and non-stick cookware.

A nickname for PFAS due to their persistence in the environment and the human body.

Contact with PFAS compounds through inhalation, ingestion (drinking water), or skin contact.

A formal request for financial compensation through the PFAS litigation process or settlement funds.

Judicial systems handling PFAS lawsuits and approving final settlements.

A federal law regulating hazardous waste management, relevant to PFAS disposal.

A law giving the EPA authority to regulate new and existing chemicals, including PFAS.

A firefighting foam often containing PFAS chemicals that can leach into groundwater.

Refers to laws and actions (e.g., CERCLA) for cleaning up hazardous substances, including PFAS pollution.

Lawsuits brought by individuals who suffer health problems from PFAS exposure, potentially involving local governments and PFAS manufacturers.

Contact Stag Liuzza today to learn how we can help your water system pursue crucial settlement funds, protect public health, and comply with rapidly evolving federal guidelines for PFAS contamination.

Don’t wait—critical deadlines start in 2026. Reach out now for a free consultation and discover how Colorado can benefit from the Phase 2 PFAS Settlement.

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