Six Workers, Including Four Family Members, Killed in Suspected Gas Exposure at Colorado Dairy Farm

Four members of the same family, died from suspected gas exposure at a Colorado dairy farm

Six men, including four members of the same family, have been identified after dying in a suspected gas exposure accident at a dairy farm in Keenesburg, Colorado, leaving local communities in mourning.

Emergency crews recovered the victims’ bodies Wednesday evening from the facility, located about 35 miles northeast of Denver. Weld County Chief Deputy Coroner Jolene Weiner confirmed that all six victims were Hispanic males, four of whom were related.

Jorge Sanchez Pena, 36, of Greeley

Among the deceased was Alejandro Espinoza Cruz, 50, of Nunn, along with his two sons, Oscar Espinoza Leos, 17, and Carlos Espinoza Prado, 29. Another relative, Jorge Sanchez Pena, 36, of Greeley, also died in the tragedy. Two other victims were identified as Ricardo Gomez Galvan, 40, and Noe Montanez Casanas, 32, both residents of Keenesburg.

The Espinoza family and Pena frequently worked on machinery repairs at local dairies, according to advocacy group Project Protect Food System Workers. Outreach worker Tomi Rodriguez described them as “extremely hardworking and humble” and “a very united family.”

Oscar Espinoza Leos, 17, of Nunn

Autopsies have been completed, though toxicology results are pending to determine the official cause of death. Authorities believe the workers may have been exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas, commonly found in manure pits.

According to preliminary reports, the incident may have begun when one worker entered a manure pit to adjust a valve and inadvertently triggered a release of gas. He collapsed almost instantly, and five others rushed in to help despite warnings from a supervisor not to enter, resulting in multiple fatalities.

Carlos Espinoza Prado, 29, of Evans

The Weld County Sheriff’s Office confirmed there is no evidence of criminal activity. The farm is listed under Prospect Valley Dairy LLC, based in Bakersfield, California.

Community members have expressed shock and grief, describing the victims as hardworking men devoted to their families. Support efforts are underway to assist those affected.

Alejandro Espinoza Cruz, 50, of Nunn

A former employee of the farm, who identified himself only as Inés, said the victims were his friends. “They started working here about six years ago. They couldn’t tell me what happened, but something happened. That’s why I came — because they were my friends,” he said.

Weld County is Colorado’s top dairy producer and a major hub for beef cattle, grain, and sugar beet production, with about three-quarters of its land devoted to farming and livestock. Census data from 2020 shows 30% of the county’s residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, compared with 22% statewide.