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Colorado air permit public notices

Help in your language: Some documents are currently only available in English. To request assistance in Spanish or another language, email cdphe_apcd_outreach@state.co.us. Please include the topic and “language assistance” in the subject line. Please also link to the specific document or information you’d like to access.

For questions or assistance related to the Environmental Justice Report Tool for Air Quality Regulation 3, please email cdphe_apcd_ejreports@state.co.us with “EJ Summary” and the facility name in the subject line.

Overview of air permits in Colorado

For an overview of air permits in Colorado, explore the Air Permitting 101 video (also available in Spanish) and slide presentation (slides also available in Spanish).  These materials cover:

  • What an air permit is.
  • Types of air permits.
  • How to stay informed about air permits. 
  • How to provide feedback on air permits.
  • More ways to engage with the Air Pollution Control Division.

Types of air permits subject to public notice

Construction permits require public notice for reasons listed in Colorado Air Quality Regulation Number 3, Part B, Section III.C. The most common reasons are:

  • New emission limits and/or limit increases in the draft permit trigger the requirement for public comment.
    • These thresholds are:
      • 25 tons per year in a nonattainment area.
      • 50 tons per year in an attainment area.
  • The air pollution source could possibly emit odor above the limits found in the Colorado Air Quality Regulation 2.
  • The air pollution source emits hazardous air pollutants at a level that requires them to follow the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS).
  • The air pollution source is requesting a federally enforceable limit on potential air pollution emissions to keep yearly emissions low enough to not trigger other regulatory requirements.
  • The CDPHE air division decides that public comment is warranted.
    • This decision may be based on:
      • The length of time for the proposed project.
      • The air pollution source’s location.
      • The type and projected amount of air pollution emissions.
      • Likelihood of public concern.
      • Other relevant factors.

If all air pollution emission standards and ambient air quality standards are met, the division grants an Initial Approval permit. The Initial Approval permit allows the source to construct and start operation. The air pollution source must start construction within 18 months from the date of issuance, or the permit can automatically expire.

Draft Title V operating permits are published on this web page. Public comments are requested for the following permit types:

  • Significant modifications.
  • Initial permits.
  • Renewal permits and re-openings.

All preconstruction permits that include Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and/or Nonattainment New Source Review Requirements (NANSR) are published on this web page and are open for public comment. 

Current public notice periods

Facility name and county information in air permit public notices come directly from the information in the air permit application. If a facility was required to submit an Environmental Justice Summary, then the air division may also note: 

  1. The facility’s address or geographic coordinates.
  2. Whether the facility is located in a disproportionately impacted community, based on the summary information.

Public Notice Period: February 25 - March 27

Public Notice Period: February 24 - March 26

Public Notice Period: February 17 - March 19

Public Notice Period: February 11 - March 13

Public Notice Period: February 9 - March 11

Public Notice Period: February 3 - March 5

Public Notice Period: January 26 - February 25

Air permit public notices

During a public notice period, the division publishes on this web page: 

  • The public notice.
  • The draft permit.
  • Any calculations/analysis documents.
  • Request for written comments from the public.
  • Date range for the public notice period. 

Comments submitted to the division will be uploaded to an online document repository and will be accessible to the public. Your comments and the division's responses are not considered confidential and will be publicly accessible. This includes your name, email address, phone number, address, and any other personal information you provide in your comments.

If you would like to submit a public comment, please first review our Public Participation Guidance. If you have any questions, comments, or would like to share more information, please email cdphe_apcd_airpermitcomments@state.co.us.

Hearing requests

Before the end of a designated comment period, anyone can request a hearing with the Air Quality Control Commission to provide comments about:

  • Sufficiency of the preliminary analysis.
  • Whether the air division should approve or deny the permit application or any other appropriate air quality considerations.

To request a hearing with the commission, please email cdphe_apcd_airpermitcomments@state.co.us and include the following:

  • Identify the individual or group requesting the hearing.
  • State the requestor’s address and phone number.
  • State the reason(s) for the request, how the person is affected by the proceedings, and an explanation of why the person's interests are not already adequately represented.

Please note that only certain permits are eligible for a commission hearing request: 

  • Initial Title V operating permits.
  • Renewal Title V operating permits.
  • Significant Modifications for Title V operating permits.
  • Major Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)/Nonattainment New Source Review Requirements (NANSR) permits.

The air division reviews all requests received and follow-ups with the requestor about whether the request will be granted and why.

The division's responses to comments on previous permitting actions can be accessed from the online records database and map.