Oil and gas greenhouse gas intensity program

Update: The Air Pollution Control Division published the Oil and Natural Gas Methane Intensity Verification Protocol in May 2024.

This protocol provides instructions for Colorado upstream segment (production and pre-production) oil and gas owners or operators. The protocol focuses on the verification and reporting of methane emissions and calculated greenhouse gas intensities as required by Regulation No. 7, Part B, Sections VIII.F. and VIII.G. 
All upstream segment owners or operators in Colorado, regardless of size, must participate in this program. They must also adhere to the instructions and requirements in the protocol.

The protocol contains details on how operators must:

• Create a measurement-informed inventory of methane emissions;
  • This can be accomplished by implementing an operator-specific program, or by applying a state-developed default factor.
• Account for the measurement-informed methane emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions in their intensity calculations; and
• Develop and implement the processes and compliance requirements for an operator-specific verification program, if the operator chooses to establish such a program.

Further, the protocol defines how the division monitors methane emissions independently, how the division generates state default factors, and how the division reviews and approves operator-specific verification programs. The division will review the protocol annually. Updates will be published on this web page.

Operators with new facilities that commenced operation in 2023 must submit, in their own format, the annual verification reports required in Regulation 7, Part B, Section VIII.G.2 by June 30, 2024. This report should be emailed to cdphe_apcd_ei@state.co.us.

The greenhouse gas intensity verification rule is part of Colorado’s overall work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change, driven by an increase in greenhouse gasses, is affecting our communities worldwide, including through drought, wildfires, and flooding. That may mean less snow, more extreme snow storms, and warmer temperatures during winter. During summer, that may mean more intense heat with higher energy costs to run fans and cooling equipment (such as air conditioning or evaporative cooling), water shortages, and more frequent days of poor air quality due to ozone development and wildfire smoke. Regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will help reduce these problems.

Regulations on oil and gas operations may affect specific jobs in the oil and gas sector. At the same time, rules on oil and gas operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will help reduce hazardous air pollutants and improve public health in neighborhoods across Colorado.

The Air Pollution Control Division hosted several public meetings to discuss the development of the protocol document. 

• Aug. 31, 2023.
  Topics: Division presentation on the intensity verification rule and draft protocol; initial question and answer session; public comment session.
• Oct. 16, 2023.
  Topics: Open public comment opportunity on the draft protocol; question and answer session; public comment session.
• Jan. 10, 2024.
  Topics: Division presentation on the final intensity verification protocol; question and answer session; public comment session.

July 20, 2023: Colorado adopts first-of-its-kind measures to verify greenhouse gas emissions from certain oil and gas sites

The Air Pollution Control Division hosted several public meetings to inform the development of the greenhouse gas intensity verification rule.

• Oct. 16, 2023, meeting materials.
  • Public comment on the draft protocol and Q/A session.
• Aug. 31, 2023, recording and presentation.
  • Division presentation, public comment and Q/A session.
• Feb. 22, 2023, meeting materials.
  • Public comment meeting and Q/A session.
• Feb. 15, 2023, meeting materials.
  • Stakeholder meeting and division presentation.
• Jan. 18, 2023, meeting materials.
  • Public comment meeting and Q/A session.
• Jan. 11, 2023,​​​​​ meeting materials.
  • Stakeholder meeting and division presentation.
• Jan. 7, 2023, meeting materials​​​​​.
  • Community outreach meeting
• Dec. 7, 2022, meeting materials.
  • Public comment meeting and Q/A session.
• Nov. 30, 2022, meeting materials.
  • Stakeholder meeting and division presentation.
• Nov. 17, 2022. 
  • Community engagement meeting.
• Oct. 12, 2022, meeting materials.
  • Public comment and Q/A session.
• Oct. 5, 2022, meeting materials.
  • Stakeholder meeting and division presentation.

On Dec.17, 2021, the Air Quality Control Commission adopted revised new requirements into Regulation 7, Part D and Regulation 22, Part B. The revisions require oil and gas industry sources to reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions. Visit the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission website for more information on the rule. Visit the Colorado Air Quality Regulations website to review the revised regulations.

• December 2021 Regulations Number 7 and 22 Revisions - FAQ Volume 1.

• Aug. 31, 2021, meeting materials.
  • Public stakeholder meeting.
• Aug. 16, 2021, meeting materials.
  • Public stakeholder meeting.
• July 7, 2021, meeting materials.
  • Public stakeholder meeting.
• May 11, 2021.
  • Public listening session.
• March 25, 2021, meeting materials.
  • Public stakeholder meeting.
• March 4, 2021.
  • Public listening session.
• Nov. 5, 2020.
  • Agenda.
  • Presentation.
  • Meeting video.
  • Chat transcript.