Minor vs. Major Asbestos Spills in the Denver Metro Area: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

Let’s talk asbestos spills—yes, the phrase sounds dramatic (cue ominous music), but don’t worry, this blog won’t freak you out. Whether you’re mid-renovation, dealing with old popcorn ceilings, or just curious what happens when asbestos is accidentally disturbed, we’re going to break it all down into simple terms.

As a company with years of experience handling asbestos inspections and spills in the Denver Metro Area, we’re very familiar with CDPHE Regulation 8—the Colorado rulebook that outlines how to handle asbestos safely. And more specifically, we’re here to help you understand the difference between minor and major asbestos spills, when the state steps in, what your next steps should be, and what kind of cost you might expect.

First Off—What Even Is an Asbestos Spill?

Imagine this: a contractor cuts into some drywall or popcorn ceiling without testing it first. Or you purchased a home to flip and you are doing the renovations, but didn't test the material. That, my friends, is how an asbestos spill can begin.

An asbestos spill happens when a material containing asbestos is disturbed in a way that releases the fibers into the air, making it possible to inhale them. Not ideal—but it’s more common than you think, and it’s very manageable if handled the right way.

Not sure what asbestos is? Start with our Is Asbestos Dangerous? What You Need to Know and then come back to finish.

CDPHE Regulation 8 Made Simple

Let’s decode Regulation 8—no law degree required.

Reg 8 is Colorado’s guideline for managing asbestos. It outlines rules for testing, removing, and cleaning up asbestos-containing materials (ACM). When it comes to spills, the regulation separates them into minor and major, based on how much material was disturbed and where it happened.

Here’s the simple breakdown (Single-Family Residents Only):

Type of Spill	Amount of Material Disturbed	State Involvement?
Minor Spill	Less than 32 square foot (interior or exterior), under 50 linear feet (pipe wrap) and under the equivalent of a 55-gallon drum.	CDPHE doesn't get involved.
Major Spill	Greater than 32 square foot (interior and exterior), over 50 linear feet (pipe wrap) and over the equivalent of a 55-gallon drum.	CDPHE must be notified within 24 hours

Think of it like a small kitchen grease fire. If a few drops of oil flare up on the stove, you don’t call the fire department—but you definitely grab the lid and handle it carefully so it doesn’t spread. Now, if the whole pan goes up in flames? That’s when you call 911. Same with asbestos: even small spills need proper attention and cleanup, just on a more manageable scale than a major spill.

If you're into regulations or want to learn more about what material is sampled, we got you covered with our Essential Asbestos Testing: How Many Samples Are Required in Colorado?.

Why Do Asbestos Spills Happen in the First Place?

Good question. Most of the time, spills are accidental. Here’s how they usually go down:

1. Home Renovations/Flips Gone Rogue

You or your contractor skips the asbestos test and dives into demo day like it’s an HGTV special. Unfortunately, many older homes in the Denver Metro Area still contain asbestos in materials like drywall mud, floor tiles, ceiling texture, and duct insulation.

2. Contractors Who Didn’t Get the Memo About Asbestos

Even licensed contractors sometimes don’t test before cutting, drilling, or sawing. If asbestos is present, this can result in a release of harmful fibers.

3. Storm or Water Damage

Flooding, broken pipes, or even heavy wind damage can stir things up in places you didn’t expect—especially attics or crawlspaces where pipe wrap and old insulation are hiding out. This happens all the time with these crazy Artic Blasts that have become common for Colorado.

Minor vs. Major Asbestos Spills: What Happens Next?

Minor Spills (Whew, It's Manageable)

If less than 32 square foot of ACM is disturbed (or under 50 linear feet on pipes/55 gallon drum), it’s considered minor. It doesn't need to be reported to the state, but that doesn’t mean you should go rogue with a Shop-Vac and a face mask.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Pause all work.

• Don't move any material out into the driveway or outside in the yard!

• Get an asbestos inspection from a certified company (👋 Hi, that’s us!) to figure out what's going on.

• Hire a certified abatement crews who can carefully clean the area and remove any extra left over material. (We work some incredible abatement companies that are here to help)

• Take a deep breath, we got you!

Costs for minor cleanups typically range from $900–$1,700, depending on access, materials, and whether air clearance are needed.

Bonus Tip: Even minor spills can become major if they’re disturbed again—so containment and proper cleanup is key!

Major Spills

If the spill involves 32 square foot or more, or more than 50 linear feet of asbestos pipe wrap/55-gallon drum, then CDPHE must be notified within 24 hours. The asbestos inspector will help with this. We here at Elevation Environmental Services have a fantastic relationship with the State and do everything we can to make this portion as less stressful as possible.

Here's what happens next:

1. Notification: CDPHE requires a spill notification after the major spill has been determined. (We take care of this and also provide them with a full report so you don't have to)

2. Spill Delineation: A certified air monitoring specialist needs to conduct a spill delineation to determine how far the fibers have spread inside and outside. (We can help with that too!)

3. Professional Cleanup: A certified asbestos abatement company must perform the cleanup—using containment barriers, HEPA vacuums, and often full PPE.

4. Final Clearance: After cleanup, a certified air monitoring specialist (yep, that’s us too!) performs a visual clearance and air test to ensure the space is safe to re-enter.

   
   

Costs for major spills can vary widely but generally range between $20,000 and $140,000+, depending on:

• The size of the area

• Whether walls or ceilings need to be removed

• If the spill is outside as well

• Air monitoring and clearance testing

• Emergency response timing

But keep in mind that the spill delineation is completely separate and can add to the overall costs. Spill delineations range from $1,000 to $1,900+, depending on how many samples are needed.

Bonus Tip: Each abatement company prices things a little differently. Make sure to do your research, ask for referrals and go with who you trust the most.

There's a lot of myths out there regarding asbestos and when to test, our ATTENTION GENERAL CONTRACTOR! Protect your business, staff and clients from Asbestos Spills blog was written to squash those myths. Although it was written for contractors specifically, it's meant to help everyone!

Bought a House and Found a Surprise? You're Not Alone

This one's popping up more and more around the Denver Metro Area: you buy a house with dreams of flipping it or turning it into a rental, and—surprise!—the previous owner already removed something they shouldn’t have. Now you’ve got an asbestos spill on your hands, and it wasn’t even your doing.

So, what does the State have to say about that?

Well, even if you bought the home as-is, if your plan is to sell it or rent it out, the spill now qualifies as a major spill under CDPHE Regulation 8. Why? Because once you pass that property on to someone else, you’re potentially passing on a health risk, too.

It might feel unfair (and yeah, a little frustrating), but it’s not the end of the road. We’ve helped plenty of folks who inherited someone else’s mess and suddenly found themselves staring down a surprise cleanup bill. Don’t panic—we’ll walk you through what needs to happen next and help get things sorted, one step at a time.

Can I Just Leave It Alone?

If the material isn’t damaged or disturbed, asbestos is not dangerous. It becomes a concern when it’s friable—aka crumbly and easily airborne. That’s why testing before demo is required by law in Colorado, even if you’re just doing a simple remodel.

Also: Insurance often won’t cover asbestos spills that happen due to unpermitted or untested renovation work. So better to test first, then swing the hammer later.

How to Avoid an Asbestos Spill Altogether

You don’t need to live in fear of your 1970s ceiling. But here are some ways to avoid turning your home improvement project into a HazMat episode:

1. Test before you touch. Testing costs $250–$800 (depending on the project and types of material) but can save you thousands in the end.

2. Hire trained professionals. Contractors in the Denver Metro Area should follow Regulation 8 and include testing in their scope. If they don't, they are in violation of that regulation, and that should be a huge a red flag.

3. Use containment. Even for minor work, proper containment (like plastic sheeting and negative air machines) can prevent cross-contamination.

4. Avoid taking anything outside: Once material goes outside the home (yup, including the yard), it's now under the State's jurisdiction and automatically is a spill if it is ACM.

5. Have a plan. Know who to call in case something goes wrong. (Hint: It’s us!)

   
   

Need a step by step guide on how to avoid spills, check out our From Inspection to Permit: How Certified Asbestos Inspections Help Your Colorado Project blog. Far warning, this was one of our first blogs. We've come a long way writing wise.

Need Help with an Asbestos Inspection or Cleanup in the Denver Metro Area?

At Elevation Environmental Services, we specialize in asbestos inspections, testing, and spill response under CDPHE Regulation 8. Whether you’ve disturbed a little or a lot, we’re here to help you figure out your next step—without the scare tactics.

Let’s keep things safe, simple, and just a little bit funny (because if we’re going to deal with asbestos, we might as well smile doing it).

📞 Call us today to schedule your asbestos inspection in the Denver Metro Area or to talk through a spill scenario—no judgment, just solutions.