Colorado Adopts Methane Rules Mirroring Biden-Era EPA Standards
State regulators finalized oil and gas methane limits even as the Trump administration proposes rolling back federal rules.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Oil and Gas
Live Poll
Should Colorado keep stricter state methane rules even if federal rules are weakened?
The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission finished two years of rulemaking in September, adopting most of the Biden administration's EPA methane rules for oil and gas operations. The move comes as the Trump administration has proposed rolling back federal oil and gas methane emissions rules.
Why it matters
Methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over the first 20 years, and the oil and gas industry accounts for 60% of Colorado's methane emissions. The state's action would keep stricter standards in place even if federal requirements are weakened.
Marginal wells make up 67% of all wells in Colorado, almost 30,000 wells, while the federal proposal estimates $45 billion in savings from revised regulations. Final federal rules remain pending through the 45-day public comment period.
The players
Colorado Air Quality Control Commission
The state body that finished two years of rulemaking to reduce oil and gas methane emissions in Colorado.
Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission
The state commission that banned routine venting or burning off of methane at well sites except in emergencies.
Environmental Protection Agency
The federal agency whose Biden-era methane rules Colorado adopted and whose Trump-administration rollback is now proposed.
The details
The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission banned venting or burning off methane at well sites except in emergencies, and the state has adopted a first-in-the-nation rule tying oil and gas production to methane emissions. Colorado's phase-out of polluting controllers, pumps and compressors is scheduled for 2027 in ozone-affected areas and 2029 elsewhere in the state.
Timeline
2021: Colorado began requiring nonpolluting controllers at oil and gas sites.
September: The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission finished two years of methane rulemaking.
2027: Polluting controller phase-out deadline in ozone-affected areas.
2029: Polluting controller phase-out deadline for the rest of Colorado.
Roadmap
Colorado's adoption of Biden-era methane standards follows a pattern of states setting their own environmental rules when federal policy shifts. The state's first-in-the-nation rule tying oil and gas production to methane emissions marks a departure from the federal approach now being proposed for rollback.
Colorado oil and gas operators will need to phase out polluting controllers, pumps and compressors by 2027 in ozone-affected areas and by 2029 elsewhere in the state. Residents near well sites may see reduced methane emissions as venting and flaring restrictions take effect.
The takeaway
State-level methane rules can keep emissions limits in place even when federal requirements change, so operators and residents should track both Colorado's phase-out deadlines and the outcome of the federal proposal.
Further reading
Explore more on Oil and Gas regulation and industry developments in Colorado.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Colorado Sun.
Live Poll
Should Colorado keep stricter state methane rules even if federal rules are weakened?
