Reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations
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Update: In its February 2026 meeting, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission updated Regulation 7 and adopted the measures described on this page.
Overview
In September 2025, the CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division proposed revisions to Regulation 7 to further reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations and align with federal guidelines. At its February 2026 meetings, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission adopted revisions to Regulation 7, which apply to certain "designated facilities" and equipment identified in EPA's oil and gas Emission Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards. These new standards will drive important methane emissions reductions.
Key updates from the commission’s hearing include:
- Establishing additional emissions controls, best management practices, and operation and maintenance requirements for transmission and storage segment equipment.
- Creating operational requirements for wet seal compressors, dry seal compressors, and reciprocating compressors.
- Establishing new leak detection and repair requirements for fugitive emissions at natural gas processing plants and clarifying leak detection and repair requirements for certain well production facilities.
- Extending the first greenhouse gas intensity targets for certain pre-production and production operations.
Public participation meetings
The division held public information meetings in July 2025 and September 2025 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 Sept. 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.
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