1

Landfill methane reductions in Colorado

#FFFFFF

Help in your language: Free language assistance services are available to you. To request assistance in 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 information you’d like to access, if possible, such as a web page or document.

Ayuda en el idioma de su preferencia: ofrecemos asistencia en el idioma de su preferencia, sin cargo alguno. Si desea solicitar asistencia en español o en otro idioma, envíe un correo electrónico a cdphe_apcd_outreach@state.co.us. Indique el tema y la frase “language assistance” (asistencia en otro idioma) como asunto de su mensaje. De ser posible, incluya un enlace a la información que desea consultar, como la página web o el documento.

#FFFFFF

Overview

The CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division will propose a rule to the Air Quality Control Commission in early 2025 to reduce methane pollution from municipal solid waste landfills. These landfills are significant sources of methane, which is a greenhouse gas that causes climate change. Colorado identified reducing methane pollution from landfills as a near-term action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0.

In 2024, the division also proposed changes to Colorado’s greenhouse gas reporting requirements that would apply to municipal solid waste landfills. If the commission adopts the reporting rule in October 2024, it would support the new methane reduction requirements the division plans to propose in 2025.

Technical working group (August 2024 - November 2024)

The CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division convened a technical working group in August 2024 to help support and inform the rule proposal. The technical working group will focus on:

  • Evaluating methodologies and best practices for reducing landfill methane emissions beyond federal requirements.
  • Assessing enhanced methane monitoring and control requirements for landfills.
  • Operating and maintenance practices and considerations for landfill gas collection and control systems.
  • Streamlining reporting requirements for landfills.

Technical working group meetings

The technical working group meetings are open for public listening. Listen to each meeting live or watch recordings posted on this web page. The meetings will primarily focus on technical discussions among the working group members.

Each meeting is about two hours long. The meetings are virtual and registration is required:

 

Submit written public comments

Send written comments on the landfill methane rule proposal and the technical working group discussions to climatechange@state.co.us. Use the subject line, “Landfill Methane Reduction.”

Explore tips for making effective public comments.

 

Public information meetings

The division will host public information meetings in late 2024 or early 2025 on the rule proposal. During these sessions, the division will:

  • Share the concept and requirements of the rule proposal.
  • Provide the opportunity for public feedback.
  • Answer questions.

The division will provide registration information on this web page once the meetings are scheduled.

The division continually seeks public input before proposing any rules. Explore the division's upcoming public participation opportunities.

The division convened a technical working group with diverse expertise in:

  • Landfill regulatory development and oversight.
  • Methane emission reduction methods.
  • Landfill operations and management. 

The group's expertise will help inform balanced and comprehensive recommendations for landfill methane pollution control. The technical working group members have graciously volunteered their time:

  • Aaron Byrne, Summit County Landfill.
  • Brian Dodek, Waste Management.
  • Tom Frankiewicz/Ellie Garland, Rocky Mountain Institute.
  • Melissa Green, Weaver Consultants.
  • Jerry Henderson, CDPHE Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division.
  • Dana Podell, CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division.
  • Nancy Seidman, Regulatory Assistance Project.
#FFFFFF

Resources

Key legislation

Contact us

Questions? Email climatechange@state.co.us.