Colorado Report Details New Strategies for Refinery Emission Cuts
State health officials released a contractor-led study comparing the Suncor refinery to national standards to find further pollution reductions.
State health officials have published a comprehensive study detailing new pathways to reduce air emissions at petroleum refineries, with a specific focus on the Suncor facility in Commerce City.
The Colorado Refinery Report, commissioned by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, provides a side-by-side comparison of the Suncor plant against national industry requirements and procedures. The document serves as a roadmap for potential regulatory updates aimed at improving air quality for surrounding communities.
“This report identifies additional areas for study and evaluation that could potentially address concerns we’ve heard from community members,” said Michael Ogletree, CDPHE senior director of state air quality programs.
The report follows a refinery expert review required under House Bill 24-1338, also known as the Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Justice Act. To ensure independence, the Air Pollution Control Division hired a contractor to develop the findings and conclusions rather than authoring the report internally.
Key objectives of the study include identifying emission reduction opportunities based on technology used at similar refineries nationwide and providing an overview of air quality impacts based on current emissions data.
State officials are now in the early stages of determining which opportunities to pursue as part of a formal rulemaking focused on Colorado refinery operations. Any future regulatory proposal will be developed through a public process involving technical reviews, economic analysis and community input.
The division will hold an informational virtual public meeting to explain the findings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
This latest report builds on several recent state actions, including an air toxics emissions reduction rule adopted in April 2026 and a $10.5 million enforcement package finalized in February 2024 that established a fenceline air monitoring program.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is Assistant Editor of EPOnline.com.
