Rulison, 40-kiloton nuclear test project
Rulison is a former underground nuclear weapons test site in Colorado, about 8 miles southeast of Parachute. The explosion occurred approximately 2.5 miles below the surface and created a large cavity underground while leaving no damage at ground level.
The test took place in 1969 as part of Operation Mandrel, a program exploring peaceful uses of nuclear weapons. The project ended in failure because the released natural gas was radioactively contaminated and unsuitable for use.
The site is named after a nearby creek and became known through this government project. The area reflects the industrial heritage of ranchers and oil workers who experienced this event as part of their region's energy development.
The area is a restricted zone where drilling and digging are prohibited to prevent disturbance of possible underground contamination. A plaque marks the exact location and is accessible via a gravel road, though visitors should check beforehand if access is permitted.
About 270 families from nearby Parachute were evacuated for the test and experienced the blast firsthand with ground shaking and visible disturbances. This mass evacuation remains one of the strangest chapters in America's peaceful nuclear energy experiment history.
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