Reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations
On this page: Overview | Public participation meetings | Contact us
Update: On Sept. 18, 2025, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission agreed to schedule a rulemaking hearing in February 2026 for the measure described on this page.
There are opportunities to learn more and get involved in the rulemaking process with the Air Quality Control Commission:
- Review materials from the division’s rulemaking request in the commission’s September meeting folder.
- Become a party to the rulemaking hearing. More information is available on the commission’s web page on what party status means and how the process works.
- Submit written comments directly to the commission at cdphe.aqcc@state.co.us.
- Register to offer a verbal public comment or listen to the February 2026 rulemaking hearing. A registration link is available on the commission’s landing page.
Overview
The CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division is working on a rule proposal to further reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations and align with federal guidelines. If adopted, the rule would include potential revisions to Regulation 7 that apply to certain "designated facilities" identified in EPA's oil and gas Emission Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards that would reduce methane emissions, as well as other types of oil and gas equipment and operations subject to Regulation 7. During its September 2025 meeting, the Air Quality Control Commission agreed to schedule a rulemaking hearing in February 2026. A registration link is available on the commission’s landing page.
The division submitted a petition package for the proposal, as required under the commission’s updated procedural rules. The division’s petition proposal includes new and revised requirements for the following types of oil and gas equipment and activities:
- Emissions controls, best management practices, and operation and maintenance requirements for transmission and storage segment equipment.
- Operational requirements for wet seal compressors, dry seal compressors, and reciprocating compressors.
- Leak detection and repair requirements for fugitive emissions at well production facilities and natural gas processing plants.
- Standardized requirements for the use of vapor recovery units for controlling emissions.
- Greenhouse gas intensity targets for pre-production and production operations.
Public participation meetings
The division held public information meetings in July and September on Regulation 7, about the oil and gas methane reduction rulemaking. The division also provided brief updates regarding required administrative changes through separate rulemakings to update Regulations 6, 8, 28, and the Common Provisions Regulation, including:
- Regulation 6: Updates to rule language to reflect recent federal updates made to New Source Performance Standards for certain facilities. These updates will allow the state to continue having implementation and enforcement authority over this federal air regulation.
- Regulation 8: Updates to rule language to mirror recent federal updates made to National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) (Part A) and Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) (Part E) for certain facilities. These updates allow the state to continue having implementation and enforcement authority over this federal air regulation.
- Regulation 28: Technical corrections to ensure the regulation is clear, easy to follow, and continues to reflect the commission’s goal for the rule. The Commission adopted these revisions on September 18, 2025.
- Common Provisions Regulation: An annual update made to the maximum civil penalty to adjust for inflation, as directed by state statute.
Previous public meetings
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Contact us
Questions? Email cdphe.commentsapcd@state.co.us.
Stay informed. Subscribe to receive email updates from the division.
Get involved. Visit the division’s web page for upcoming public participation opportunities.