State Regulators Investigating Contaminated Gas Incident

HF Sinclair provides preliminary report, but final findings still weeks away

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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State regulators are investigating a January 7th incident where more than 1,000 motorists in Colorado filled their gas tanks with contaminated fuel, causing widespread damage to vehicles. HF Sinclair, the company responsible for the contamination, has provided a preliminary report to the state's Division of Oil and Public Safety, but the full investigation is still weeks from completion.

Why it matters

This incident has had a significant impact on Colorado drivers, with many having to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in repair costs after filling up with the contaminated gas. It has also led to a class-action lawsuit against HF Sinclair and King Soopers Fuel Centers, raising questions about liability and consumer protection.

The details

On January 7th, motorists from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins filled their tanks with gasoline that was contaminated with diesel fuel. More than 50 gas stations were impacted, including major retailers like Costco, King Soopers, and Safeway. Many drivers had to have their cars towed to repair shops, with repair fees ranging from several hundred to thousands of dollars.

  • The contaminated fuel incident occurred on January 7, 2026.
  • HF Sinclair provided a preliminary report to state regulators, but the full investigation is still weeks from completion.
  • State officials estimate the final report, including any enforcement actions, could be released by the end of February 2026.

The players

HF Sinclair Corp.

The company responsible for the contaminated fuel that impacted over 1,000 motorists in Colorado.

Dillon Companies LLC

Doing business as King Soopers Fuel Centers, named as a defendant in the class-action lawsuit.

Charlene Franklin

The lead plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit filed against HF Sinclair and King Soopers Fuel Centers.

Division of Oil and Public Safety

The state regulatory agency investigating the contaminated fuel incident.

Berger Montague PC

The California-based law firm that filed the class-action lawsuit on behalf of affected motorists.

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What’s next

The judge in the class-action lawsuit will determine whether to certify the class and move forward with the case. State regulators are also expected to release their final report on the incident, including any enforcement actions against HF Sinclair, by the end of February 2026.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of fuel quality control and the potential consequences for consumers when contaminated products make it to the market. It also underscores the need for robust regulatory oversight and consumer protection measures to ensure the safety and reliability of the fuel supply.