The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division is seeking input while developing a proposal to reduce air quality impacts from refinery operations. The division will hold a series of meetings in August and September to hear feedback, then develop a rule proposal by the end of this calendar year. The proposal will also be informed by findings from the Colorado Refinery Report the division published in May 2026, which compares data, requirements, and procedures for petroleum refineries nationwide and the Suncor refinery in Commerce City.
“Listening to our partners will be a top priority for us as we move forward. Community members have consistently raised concerns about refinery emissions and air quality, and their experiences are what drove us to make sure we had the necessary research to begin this rulemaking process. We’ve spent the last few months reviewing the science and findings from the Colorado Refinery Report. Now, we’re ready to put forward a proposal that works for our economy while further protecting the air we breathe,” said CDPHE Senior Director of State Air Quality Programs Michael Ogletree.
The division will hold all public meetings virtually over Zoom. The meetings will all cover the same information in a presentation and include opportunities for participants to share feedback. Translation and interpretation services will be provided. Register to attend:
The division is currently preparing a draft rule proposal. It could include proposed requirements for short-term actions, like improved maintenance practices, and long-term projects, like installing new equipment, to reduce emissions from the Suncor refinery. The division will develop its proposal based on public feedback, analyses of technical and economic feasibility for projects, project ability to improve air quality, and the Colorado Refinery Report. The full report and a plain language overview are available on CDPHE’s web page on air quality and the Suncor refinery.
The division plans to present a rule proposal to the Air Quality Control Commission by the end of 2026 and request a rulemaking hearing. Then, if the commission approves the request, the rulemaking hearing would be in spring 2027. Visit the Air Quality Control Commission’s web page for more information on upcoming rulemaking hearings, including a long-term calendar and participation guidance.
