EPA cites Denver building owner for not following lead-safe renovation requirements

EPA cites Denver building owner for not following lead-safe renovation requirements

VareCo to pay $125K, settling alleged violations at multi-unit rentals

August 13, 2024

DENVER - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Denver-area property owner VareCo PM, LLC and its associated companies, resolving alleged violations of EPA's lead-based paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.

VareCo has agreed to pay a $125,000 penalty to settle allegations that the firm conducted uncertified renovations at six multi-unit rental housing properties in and around Denver, Colorado. Several of the properties are in locations considered environmental justice areas.

"EPA is committed to ensuring the health and safety of tenants in Colorado, including in areas that have been overburdened by hazards like lead," said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. "Individuals and families should also feel empowered to inquire about safe renovation and maintenance activities at their homes to help prevent harmful lead exposure."

The six VareCo properties are located at:

• 195 Jackson St., Denver
• 11800 E. Colfax St., Aurora
• 2830 Wyandot St., Denver
• 2836 Wyandot St., Denver
• 1679-1695 Reed St., Lakewood
• 9700 W. 51st St., Wheat Ridge

The RRP Rule protects the public from toxic lead hazards created by renovation activities involving lead-based paint and requires the certification of individuals and firms who are involved in these activities. Under the rule, contractors working on homes built prior to 1978 must test for lead in paint, or presume lead is present, and apply lead-safe work practices to minimize the risk of toxic lead exposure. The six VareCo properties were subject to the RRP Rule.

The EPA alleged that VareCo failed to:

• obtain initial firm certification from the EPA prior to performing renovations on target housing,
• assign a certified renovator to each renovation,
• retain all documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with lead-safe work practices for renovations and
• obtain written acknowledgement of receipt of the required Renovate Right pamphlet prior to renovations informing residents of lead hazards.

The settlement announced today is part of EPA's ongoing national strategy to protect communities from toxic lead paint hazards during home renovations.  Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint, which was banned from use in 1978 due to its harmful health effects. Infants, children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to lead exposure. The EPA Lead Strategy includes increasing awareness of the RRP requirements among both contractors and residents, as well as creating a strong deterrent for violators of the RRP Rule.

The agency will continue to assess compliance associated with VareCo properties and pursue enforcement action when appropriate.

More information on the RRP requirements is available on EPA's RRP Rule website.

Violations of RRP Rule regulations can be reported to EPA online.