Diesel Fuel Spill Cleanup on Loveland Pass: How NGC Got It Done

Our Northern Colorado hydrovac team was called to handle a high-stakes diesel fuel spill cleanup, 12,000 feet above sea level on Colorado’s scenic Loveland Pass.

Commissioned by CG Environmental, our role was to remove diesel-contaminated soil from a steep roadside spill area—quickly, safely, and without disrupting traffic on one of the state’s most critical mountain routes.

A Scenic Route with Serious Stakes

Loveland Pass, nestled between two major ski resorts, offers some of the most iconic views in the Rockies. But it’s more than just scenic—it’s strategic. This pass is the only legal route for trucks carrying hazardous materials through the I-70 corridor, since they are prohibited from using the Eisenhower Tunnel, which runs directly under the Continental Divide at 11,000 feet.

That means all hazmat traffic, east and west, must travel over Loveland Pass. With steep grades, sharp turns, and unpredictable conditions, the road is challenging even on the best days. Add a hazardous material incident, and it quickly becomes a serious risk to both the environment and regional transportation flow.

The NG Companies Response: Hydrovac Power at Altitude

Cue NGC. Our Foremost 1600 vac trucks are the perfect solution for something like this. With a 13-yard debris tank and a powerful Robuschi RBDV125 blower powering the vacuum, our team was able to use a remote hose and the large boom to work on the steep roadside. The vacuum cleans the area by allowing for precision removal of the contaminated soil.

Due to the location and topography of the site, achieving the same results with excavators or other mechanical means would have been a logistical nightmare and would likely have led to the complete closure of one of the most important trucking arteries in the country. Not something anyone would want to deal with. 

A Smarter Approach to Diesel Fuel Spill Cleanup

Fortunately, we were there to quickly mop up the mess. We were able to return this site to its original beauty with minimal disruption to the flow of traffic. It’s the Occom’s Razor approach. Park a single truck on the shoulder with a capable team and use a giant vacuum to suck up the diesel soaked dirt. Simple, clean, efficient, and safe. That’s what we do.