Colorado Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The Greenhouse Gas Inventory is published every two years. The Final 2023 Statewide Greenhouse Gas Inventory has been published and can be found in the links below: 

• Colorado 2023 Statewide Greenhouse Gas Inventory (as a PDF) 
• Colorado 2023 Statewide Greenhouse Gas Inventory (as a Google Document) 

The emissions data from the 2023 Inventory are also provided in an Excel Spreadsheet and can be found in the links below:

2023 Colorado Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data.

Major changes in the 2023 inventory include:

• Updates to data sources and methods.
• Changes from AR4 to AR5 global warming potentials.
• Changes in emissions for all years from 2005 to 2020.
• Greater depth in analyses.
• Changes in organization to better align with the National Inventory.
• Improvements in transparency and data availability.

Significant changes from the Draft Version 2 (published 12/8/2023) to the Final Version (published 12/29/2023) are detailed in the links below:

• Change Log (as a PDF).
• Change Log (as a Google Document). 

If you would like to access any previous inventories, draft releases of the 2023 Inventory, or have any questions, email climatechange@state.co.us.

Past Greenhouse Gas Inventory Publications:

• 2021 Colorado Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
• 2019 Colorado Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
• 2014 inventory report update.
• 2007 inventory report update.
• 2002 inventory report update.
• 1998 inventory report update.

Current information on critical metrics that impact greenhouse gas emissions between inventories is available in the Greenhouse Gas Metrics dashboard. This information is available in English and Spanish.

For information related to public meetings and other stakeholder engagement opportunities, explore the Stakeholder Opportunities and Involvement section below.

It is important to note that the development of the Colorado Statewide Greenhouse gas Inventory is a process of continual improvement. Future reports will continue to expand the quantity and quality of data sources and methods. Each refinement comes with possible revisions to historical estimates, including updates to baseline and target years. This is a mandatory part of the process to ensure that all years are comparable in any given snapshot. 

Similarly, future projections are continually revisited to remain in sync with the latest historical estimates and to incorporate new policy measures.

Data sources used for the 2023 Inventory are forthcoming.

• Environmental Protection Agency State Inventory Tool modules used for the 2021 Inventory report.
• Environmental Protection Agency State Inventory Tool modules used for the 2019 Inventory report.
• Environmental Protection Agency State Inventory Tool modules used for the 2014 Inventory report.

Progress reports to the Air Quality Control Commission

The division published a report to meet requirements in the “Resolution to Ensure Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals Are Met” adopted by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission on October 23, 2020. The division conducted its evaluation for the report in August 2022, as required by the resolution. The division submitted the report to the commission.

2022 Air Quality Control Commission Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals Progress Report.

Reports to the Legislature

To meet the requirements from House Bill 19-1261 (§ 25-7-105(1)(e)(VII), C.R.S.), every odd-numbered year the Air Pollution Control Division must:

• Track progress toward state and sector-specific greenhouse gas reduction goals.
• Provide any updated cost-benefit or regulatory analyses developed for rules adopted to attain the goals.
• Make recommendations on future commission rules or policies sufficient to achieve the goals.
• Make recommendations on future legislative action to address climate change. 

2023 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Progress Report to Colorado Legislature.

2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Progress Report to Colorado Legislature.