On October 9, 2025, a devastating fire engulfed the Caribou Village Shopping Center in Nederland, Colorado, leaving behind a charred shell of what once housed eighteen businesses. Over four months later, the remains of the shopping center at 20 East Lakeview Drive continue to linger, prompting concern among residents and business owners about the ongoing cleanup efforts.
The delay in clearing the debris stems from a disagreement between the shopping center’s owner, Tebo Properties, based in Boulder, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This impasse revolves around safety and cost issues related to the potential presence of asbestos within the wreckage. Although there are indications that progress is being made, the timeline for a complete cleanup remains uncertain.
As the remnants of the shopping center persist, local business owners like Jeffrey Green, co-owner of the Very Nice Brewing Company, express mounting frustration. Green and his partner, Susan, are preparing to reopen their brewery in a new location, but the sight of the burned-out center casts a shadow over their hopeful return. “There’s a toxic pile of burnt rubble just sitting there,” Green noted. “Who wants to come to a majestic little mountain town with a toxic pile of burnt rubble in the middle of it?”
On the night of the fire, Green recalls receiving a call from his wife around 04:00, informing him of the situation. Initially unclear about the extent of the damage, he later learned that the entire structure had been consumed by flames. The building, constructed in 1985, was primarily made of wood and could not be saved in time.
The investigation into the cause of the fire remains inconclusive. Green mentioned that while the ATF and the FBI ruled out arson, the exact cause is still unknown. “Nobody has a cause yet, and it’s kind of mysterious they haven’t figured that out yet,” he said.
The fire not only devastated the shopping center but also had a significant economic impact on the town of approximately 1,500 residents. Caribou Village accounted for around 30 percent of the town’s sales tax revenue, leading to a sudden loss of jobs for approximately 50 to 60 employees. Although The Very Nice Brewing Company was insured, Green’s experience with the insurance claim process was less than straightforward.
Initially, the insurance provider assured Green that they would be compensated for their losses. However, complications arose due to the policy’s terms. The coverage was based on replacement cost rather than actual cash value, which meant that the Greens received less than anticipated. After weeks of negotiations, they settled for about half of what they believed they were owed.
Despite these challenges, the Greens remained committed to their community and found a new location at 26 Peak to Peak Highway, where they are currently renovating an old bank. Yet, the lingering debris from the Caribou Village site serves as a constant reminder of their losses. “It just doesn’t feel happy anymore,” Green lamented. “There’s this constant reminder of what we lost. It’s a depressing thing.”
Tebo Properties spokesperson Bill Rigler expressed sympathy for the business owners affected by the fire. “The stories we’re hearing are heartbreaking,” he said. “Our hearts go out to them, and we want to rebuild as soon as possible.” Rigler explained that contractors had conducted 78 samples from the site, all of which showed no presence of asbestos. Plans were made to begin cleanup on December 18, but progress stalled due to CDPHE’s intervention.
According to a letter from the CDPHE’s regulatory unit, the delay was partly due to the property owner’s decision on how to proceed. They have two options: hire a Colorado-certified asbestos inspector for further testing or assume asbestos is present and remove it safely. Rigler disputes the need for additional testing, citing the earlier negative samples as sufficient evidence.
However, Michael Ogletree, senior director of air quality programs at CDPHE, highlighted that regulations regarding asbestos are complex and that materials containing asbestos can still be legally used in construction today. He noted that the department typically requires property owners to act as if asbestos is present when dealing with demolished structures.
The ongoing standoff has led to a compromise: Tebo Properties will submit a site stabilization plan to ensure safe testing. If the additional samples confirm the absence of asbestos, demolition could commence shortly thereafter. If not, more extensive procedures will be mandated, potentially delaying cleanup until late spring or early summer.
Ogletree assured that the presence of debris has not posed a significant threat to residents, emphasizing that contained asbestos is less of a risk than if it were disturbed and spread throughout the community. Both he and Rigler expressed a desire to resolve the situation promptly, recognizing the burden it places on the residents of Nederland.
Green remains concerned about the long-term impact on local businesses. “I can’t imagine they’re stopping like they used to,” he remarked, reflecting on the decline in foot traffic that has likely resulted from the shopping center’s destruction. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the fire, the future of the Caribou Village site and its surrounding businesses hangs in the balance.
