COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A demolition date has been set for the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, where 190 bodies were discovered to be improperly stored in October, according to an announcement from the Fremont County Board of Commissioners.

Following a building assessment in Nov., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined demolition of the building necessary to safely remove all medical, biological and hazardous material from the scene.

The initial demolition, which was scheduled for Jan. 17, was delayed due to weather and, "logistical issues," according to the EPA.

On Thursday, officials with Fremont County and the EPA announced the demolition has been scheduled to begin on April 16. Minor preparations will be made the week prior, beginning on April 8, Fremont County Officials said.

According to the county, the final disposal of all debris collected within the demolition will be brought to the Otero County landfill.

"We are grateful to our partners in Otero County for accepting this material," Kevin Grantham, Fremont County Commissioner and Chairman of the Fremont County Board of Public Health and Environment, said.

"Unfortunately, we were unable to come to a disposal agreement with either Pueblo County or the Twin Enviro landfill here in Fremont County."

The demolition and clean-up of the Penrose site will be conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency's emergency response personnel alongside trained hazardous materials contractors.

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Officials said the EPA will continue to actively work with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, local utilities companies and Fremont County to ensure the safety of the public in the demolition and disposal of the building.

According to the EPA, prior to and during demolition, a disinfectant and odor suppressor will be sprayed into the interior of the building. Staging areas for both disposal trucks and demolitions materials will be located alongside the site.

Officials said the building will be demolished utilizing excavators from the top of the building down, removing large pieces of the building structure while working to keep the building debris within the foundation footprint.

Additionally, EPA workers will utilize water and other liquid solutions to suppress dust, but not in large enough quantities that would cause runoff or further contamination in the area, officials said.

According to the EPA, once the building is demolished, the concrete foundation slab is removed and debris is collected, a final "shallow surface scrape," of the soil within the footprint of the foundation will be conducted.

The soil collected during the surface scrape will be transported to the landfill along with the building materials.

"We hope demolition of the building and final disposition of the waste will help the affected families and the entire community to heal from this tragedy," Grantham said.

According to officials with the EPA and Fremont County, the demolition is expected to last 10 days, weather permitting.

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